I    / 


FOE 

ON 
VARIOUS  SUBJECTS  and  DIFFERENT  OCCASIONS, 

CHIEFLY    ADAPTED    TO 

RURAL  ENTERTAINMENT 

IN    TH£  , 

UNITED   STATES  of  AMERICA. 


By  JOHN  SEARSON, 

Formerly  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant* 


««  Father  of  light  and  life  !  thou  good  fupreme, 

«<  O  teach  mc  what  is  good  !  teach  me  thyfelf ! 

<*  Save  me  from  folly,  vanity,  and  vice, 

<*  From  ev'ry  low  purfuit!  and  feed  Biy  foul 

««  With  knowledge,  confcious  peace,  and  virtue  pure! 

**  Sacred,  fubftantial,  never-fading  blifs  1" 

^Thmpfons  Sea/ons^  book  U» 


PHILADELPHIA: 
Printed  by  Snozc-dcn  {ff  MCorkle,  No,  47,  North  Fourth-Jirca, 

J  797. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2013  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/possuOOsear 


^ijOi^^^g^^iM^^^^iy^^l^^iM^^^^ 


To  HIS  Excellency  JOHN    ADAMS, 
Prejident  of  the  United  States  of  America^ 


SIR, 

I  DID  myfelf  the  honor  to  wait  on  you,  previous  to 
your  election,  to  the  chief,  inflation,  in  America;  and, 
on  fhewing  you  the  title  and  conditions  of  pubhcation 
of  the  following  colleftion  of  poems,  you  were  io 
condefcending  as  to  give  me  your  countenance  of 
friendfhip  on  the  occafion.  It  is  to  the  great  and 
firft  characters  in  any  nation  or  country,  we  are  to  look 
for  encouragement  in  literature,  otherwife  it  mufl  de- 
cline and  languifli.  I  muft,  however,  entreat  your 
pardon  for  the  liberty  I  have  taken,  in  addreffing  my 
*  little  poetic  effay  to  your  protection,  without  firffc 
confultingyou  on  that  occafion,  but  that  I  feared  your 
well  known  modefty,  would  have  deprived  me  of  an 
opportunity  of  thus  publicly  gratifying  m.y  feelings, 
had  I  previoufly  applied  to  you  on  this  head.  I  have 
fpent  the  chief  part  of  my  youthful  days  in  America^ 
once  tutor  in  one  of  the  firft  families  of  New-York, 
afterwards  feveral  years  a  merchant  in  this  city  in 
wholefale  trade ;  but,  by  a  feries  of  unforefeen  misfor- 
tunesy^  reduced  to  retirement  from  the  bufy  and  noify 
world,  where  I  fometimes  amufed  myfelf  writing  po- 
etic effays,  and  meeting  encouragement  from  fome 
of  the  gentlemen  in  Ireland,  in  that  way,  who  gave. 


(     iv     ) 

mc  a  guinea  per  poem  as  a  flimulus  in  that  line. 
May  your  days  be  profperous,  your  life  long  and  ufe- 
ful  to  your  country,  lb  that  in  the  decUnc  ot  hfe,  you 
may  hkcyour  much  honoured  predecelTor  retire  crown- 
ed with  laurels,  enjoy  the  pleafures  of  a  well  fj.ent 
life,  and  at  lall  enjoy  that  crown  of  rightcoufncfs  laid 
up  ior  the  heirs  of  falvation,   is  the  hearty  prayer  of 

S  I  R, 

Your  devoted  and  obedient  fcrvant^ 

J.     SEARSO  h\ 

Philadelphia^    May  2,    1797. 


«25^e!2«»^es2ss:«e^!»cs;^i^3s:n?<^^ 


PREFACE  TO  MY  SUBSCRIBERS, 


A  PREFACE  is  generally  looked  for,  and  fomc 
account  of  the  author  may  be  fatisfadtory. 
I  received  my  education  with  an  uncle,  who  was 
redlor  of  two  parlflies  in  the  weft  of  Ireland,  from 
whom  I  went  young  abroad;  and,  coming  to  Ame- 
rica, at  an  early  period,  was  nearly  twenty-one  years 
an  inhabitant  in  it,  in  various  fpheres  of  life.  I 
married  an  inhabitant  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  of 
a  good  family  and  fortune,  and,  being  bred  to  the  bu- 
finels  of  a  merchant,  was  in  wholefale  trade  fom^ey  ears ; 
but,  by  the  deceafe  of  my  wife,  in  a  (liort  time  after 
marriage,  and  a  feries  of  unforefeen  misfortunes  in 
trade,  was  fubjefted  to  a  failure,  and,  on  that  occalion, 
obliged  to  have  recourfe  for  the  affiftance  of  fome  re- 
latives in  the  north  of  Ireland  ;  und,  from  an  cxami-K 
nation  of  fome  hours  before  the  late  bifliop  of  Down 
and  Connor,  at  his  houfe  in  Lifburn,  as  a  candidate  for 
the  place  of  mafter  of  the  free  fchool  of  Colerain^ 
(wdiofe  patrons  are  the  honourable  the  Irifli  Society, 
2>t?W(?;7,  proprietors  of  the  chief  eftates  of  that  country) 
I  was,  from  the  recommendation  of  the  biihop,  ana 
other  gentlemen  of  note,  unanimoufly  appointed  by 
faid  fociety  mafter  of  their  fchool,  worth  about  /'.So 
fterhng  per  annum.  I  confequently  lived  happily  at 
Colerain  for  fifteen  years,  till,  by  the  deceafe  of  faid 
biftiop  and  other  friends  and  recommenders,  a  new 
king,  (or  agent)  arofe,  who  knew^  not  /ofetb,  who,  in 
the  mofl  inhuman,  cruel,   and  tyrannical    manner. 


(     vl     ) 

tnadc  ufe  of  his  interert:  to  have  me  put  out  of  my 
place,  to  ferve  a  friend  ot  his  own,  who  looked  for 
my  bread.  In  this  fituation,  retired  in  a  country  gen- 
tleman's houfe,  in  a  rural  retreat,  foramulement I  com- 
pofed  a  poem  (having  a  turn  from  m.y  youth  of  that 
fort)  defcriptive  of  the  feat  of  the  earl  of  Brillol,  bi- 
iliop  of  Londonderry,  called  Dowfi-hill  near  Colerain, 
The  gentlemen  who  knew  me,  fubfcribed  liberally 
on  the  occafion.  Since  my  late  arrival  in  America 
I  have  compofed  the  following  pieces,  as  per  index. 
The  candid  reader,  I  hope,  will  not  look  with  a  critic 
fcverity,  but  with  an  eyeof  lenity,  to  a  real  friend  and 
many  years  an  inhabitant  of  America,  and  humbly 
hope  the  meditations  among  the  tombs  will  be  plea- 
Ung  to  every  elafs  of  readers  in  a  poetic  drefs,  as  it 
retains  the  fame  ideas  as  the  profe,  and  none  who  reads 
but  have  fome  friends  in  that  ftate  where  we  muft 
Ihortly  be.  I  fincerely  thank  my  fubfcribers  for 
their  encouragement,  and  am  their  grateful  friend, 

JOHN  SEARSON. 


(    7    ) 

The  great  ejfeem,  the  world  had  Jhewn  for  the  late  Her^ 
vey^sjiiblime  meditations^  hath  led  the  author^  to  intro-* 
duce  them  among  the  tombs  in  a  poetic Jiyle^  which  it  is 
hoped  wilt  be  agreeable  to  every  clajs  of  readers. 

For  I  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death,  and  to  thehoufe  appoin- 
ted for  all  living. Job  xxx.  23. 


AS  I  to  CornwallXdX^-^  went  abroad, 
At  a  large  village  I  lloppM  on  the  road; 
And,  being  forcM  a  (hort  time  there  to  ftay. 
Unto  the  neighboring  church  I  bent  my  way. 
The  facred  doors,  like  heav'n,  to  which  they  guide. 
Were  for  a  worthlefs  ftranger  opened  wide. 
Glad  fuch  an  opportunity  to  find. 
To  f,  end  fome  minutes  there  I  was  inchn'd. 
The  lolemn  place,  fo  awfully  retired, 
With  pleafing,  mournful  thoughts  my  foul  infpiiM  ; 
Which  ufeful  were,  I  truft,  in  fome  degree. 
While  they  poflfefs'd  and  enliven^  me  ; 
From  which,  if  any  good  you  can  receive. 
The  narrative,  frefli  happinefs  will  give. 
The  ancient  pile  was  rais'd  and  beautifyM* 
By  hands  of  men,  whom,  ages  fince,  had  ay'd  ; 
And  fituated  in  a  large  grave-yard. 
Whence  tumult,  noife,  and  hurry  were  debarr'd  : 
The  body  fpacious,  the  ftrudlure  great, 
The  whole  in  grand  fimplicity  complete. 
A  row  of  pillars  in  the  midft  appeared. 
Whereon  the  nobly  mxodeftroof  was  rear'd. 
Each  objed:  grave,  and  venerable  feemx'd. 
From  the  dim  light,  which  thro*  the  window  gleam/d. 
The  filent,  gloomy  afped:  of  the  place. 
Did  with  folemnity  the  fcene  increafe. 
My  mind  with  pious  terror  was  poffefs'd, 
As  penfive  through  the  inmofl;  aille  I  prefs'd; 


(  o 

Which  cv'ry  ruder  paflion  wholly  quell'd, 

And  all  the  allurements  of  the  world  repelled . 

Having  due  praiie  to  God  Almighty  paid, 

Who  in  eternal  majcfty  arrav'd, 

Has  heav'n  his  throne,  the  earth  his  footflool  made> 

On  a  fine  altar-'  iece,  I  fix'd  mv  eye. 

Which  once,  ^tow's  mafter-builders  did  employ  ; 

And  wh;ch  with  fervent  gratitude  was  giv'n. 

An  humble  prefent  to  the  Lord  ofheav*n; 

Who  gracioufiy  a  helping  hand  did  lend, 

Enabhng  them  with  joy  their  work  to  end. 

How  lovely,  Gratitude,  doft  thou  appear. 

When  great  Jehovah  is  the  objedt  dear! 

Gratitude's  the  beft  principle  that  can 

W.th  real  virtue  fill  the  foul  of  man  : 

Something  difinterefted  it  Ihews  forth, 

AnJ  grant  the  term,  of  noble,  gen'rous  worth. 

Fr?y*rchiefiy  doth  regard  our  future  ftate, 

Reiientance  our  fallen  nature  indicate ; 

But  gratitude  in  Eden  held  its  reign. 

When  for  no  crime  our  parents  could  complain  ; 

And  will  in  heav'n  perpetuated  be, 

Where  God's  enthron'd  to  all  eternity. 

This  temper  fweet,  in  accents  fuch  as  thefe. 

Its  fenfe  of  benefits  receiv'd  difplays : 

**  I  am  o!)liged  ;  nor  know  I  how  to  prove, 

**  My  ardent  th  nks  for  your  furpafling  love.'* 

Surely  we  thus  mofl  properly  declare, 

Our  praifcs  for  God's  goodncfs  are  fincere  ; 

Our  great  Creator's  courts  to  decorate. 

And  with  due  honours  beautify  his  feat. 

His  dwelling  place  was  glorious  lierctoforc, 

L*t  it  not  now  be  fordid,  mean,  or  poor. 

A  mind  ingenuous  will  tcel  great  woe, 

A'l-i  every  people,  tlecp  reproach  muftknow; 

V\'ho  on  their  houfci.>  fuch  c.ypcncc  employ. 


•(     9     )" 

In  cedar  wainfcot  and  vermillion  dye  ; 

While  God's  own  building,  fliameful  to  relate^ 

Stands  quite  negledled,  in  a  filthy  ftate. 

With  Solomon's  addrefs,  my  foul  was  pleas'd 

When  for  God's  ufe  a  temple  he  had  raisM  ; 

He  had  eredied,  with  vaft  fl^ill  and  charge, 

A  noble  ftructure,  exquifitely  large. 

But  he  his  work  reviewed,  and  ftruck  with  awe^ 

The  powV  tranfcendant  of  the  Godhead  faw. 

The  building  was  too  elegant  and  blefs'd 

By  the  moft  mighty  king  to  be  poffefsM  ; 

For  entrance  to  unhallow'd  feet,  too  clean; 

Yet  for  God's  dwelling  infinitely  mean. 

The  wife  king  own'd  it  was  furprifing  grace. 

That  God  Almighty  *'  there  his  name  fhould  place.'* 

The  pafTage,  with  true  delicacy  fraught, 

Difplay'd  a  grand  fublimity  of  thought ; 

Therefore  I  fliall  not  hefitate  to  fhew. 

The  pious  fentiments  which  through  it  flow. 

''  Will  God  indeed  vouchfafe  to  dwell  on  earth, 

"  The  place  which  gives  to  WTCtched  mortals  birth  ? 

*'  Behold,  theheav'n  of  heav'ns  can't  thee  contain, 

*'  Sure  in  this  houfe  much  lefs  thou  can'ft  remain..^ 

Unequalled  words  !  and  worthy  of  his  pen, 

Whofe  wifdom  flione  o'er  all  the  fons  of  men  ! 

Who  would  not  choofe,  then,  rather  to  pofiTefs 

Such  elevated  piety  and  grace. 

Than  all  the  coflly  furniture  to  own. 

With  which  his  facred  dome  fuperbly  flione  ? 

With  admiration  \\c  are  apt  to  praife 

The  coftly  edifice  at  which  we  gaze  ; 

And,  while  with  joy  its  grandeur  we  behald> 

The  merit  of  the  archited:  is  told. 

Perhaps  the  antient  temple  having  feerr. 

The  difciples'  remark  our  ov/n  had  been. 

Which  they  have  fuperficially  made, 

^*  What  Hones  and  wgrkmanlhip  arc  here  difplay^d!''* 


(      lo     ) 

But  much  more  noble  feelings  wc  fhall  fhow 

To  pay  with  Solomon,  the  thanks  we  owe  ; 

With  joy  our  celebrating  voices  raife, 

JEHOVAH's  great  benignity  to  praife. 

That  Gody  the  high  and  mighty,  whom  we  trace. 

In  boundlefs  glory,  through  the  rounds  of  fpace  ; 

Should  Will  m  ipecial  manner  there  to  live, 

A  mortal  building  for  his  houfe  receive ; 

Should  manifeft  a  wonderful  degree. 

Of  benedidtive  grace  and  majeify; 

His  prefence  fhew  to  finncrs,  and  declare 

He'd  make  them  '*  joyful  in  his  houfe  of  pray'r/^ 

This  fliould  our  hearts  more  fenfibly  delight 

Than  coflly  ftrucftures  gratify  the  lights 

Nay,  the  eternal  God  does  not  refufe 

Our  fouls  his  fpirit's  dwelling  place  to  choofe; 

And  of  ourfelves  a  flmdiuary  make 

And  e'en  our  bodies  for  his  temple  take. 

Ye  who  rely  on  critic's  catching  wings. 

And  Eiicely  weigh  the  difference  of  things  j 

Quickly  approach,  and,  by  your  judgments  fhew, 

**  Whether  of  joy  or  wonder  more  we  owe/' 

Himfelfhe  humbleth,  as  the  fcripture  tell. 

To  view  the  beings  that  in  heaven  dwell. 

^Tis  a  moft  condefcendingproofof  love. 

Of  angels  and  archangels  to  approve  ; 

When  lowly,  from  their  heav'niy  thrones,  they  all 

In  homage  to  their  Great  Creator  fall. 

And  will  he  poor,  polluted  dull:  regard. 

And  with  a  gracious  union  us  reward? 

Unrivaird  honour  !   Privilege  divine  ! 

Be  this  ineilimable  portion  mine  ' 

Then  will  I  not  for  regal  titles  ffrive 

Or  keep  the  haughty  claun  for  pow'r  alive jl 

But  1(  t  me  tliink  what  fancSity  of  mind, 

And  upright  convcrfatioa  is  enjoin  d.     • 


(  It  ) 

Of  fuch  relations  to  raife  my  weak  voice. 

Remember  this,  '*  and  trembling  rejoice."' 

Dare  I,  whilft  thro'  the  hallovv'd  courts  I  walk. 

Contradl  ihiquity  in  deed  or  talk  ? 

Or  could  Jerufalem's  high-prieft  permit, 

Himlelf  a  known  tranfgreffion  to  commit  ; 

While  he  into  the  holy  of  holies  made, 

His  yearly  folemn  entrance  ;  and  array 'd 

In  facred  robes,  v/ith  reverence  beftow'd 

Becoming  worfliip  to  Almighty  God  ? 

No,  truly.     In  circumftances,  fure 

No  thinking  man  could  poffibly  endure 

Temptations,  the  remoteft,  to  affail. 

And  o'er  his  probity  of  heart  prevail, 

I  all  indecency  of  carriage  dreads 

Left  I  by  it  to  evil  fhould  be  led. 

Why  is  not,  then,  this  jealous  holy  ftrife^ 

Carry 'd  thro'  all  our  ordinary  life  ? 

Why  to  ourfelves  is  not  juft  Honour  fliewn 

As  beings  fandlified  to  God  alone  ? 

Whom  living  temples  of  himfelf  he  makes^ 

As  the  unerring  word  of  fcripture  fpeaks  ? 

If  we  our  condud:  as  true  chriftians  guide, 

God  fays  he  *'  dwells  in  us"  and  will  abide. 

That  this  one  dodlrine  of  religion  would 

With  ftrength  abiding  on  our  fouls  intrude  ! 

Inftead  of  countlefs  laws  'tv/ould  regulate 

Our  lives,  and  holinefs  in  us  create. 

From  fuch  convertive  pow'r,  we  would  defire 

A  purity  of  purpofe  to  acquire ; 

To  walk  and  live  deferving  of  his  care. 

Who  makes  us  his  paternal  kindnefs  fliare. 

And  who,  with  majefty  tranfcendant  crown'd. 

Our  union  with  himfelf  and  fon  has  ov/n'd. 

I  caft  my  eyes  next  on  the  letter'd  floor. 

Which,  like  Ezekicl's  roll^  was  written  o'er^r 


' 


(  12  ) 

I  foon  pcrcelv'd  that  the  fimihtude 

Held  alfo  in  another  manner  good; 

And  the  infcription  ufher'd  in  a  train 

Of  vary'd  **  lamentations,  woe,  and  pain." 

My  obfervationthey  did  much  excite. 

And  to  perufe  them  filently  invite. 

And  what  would  thefe  dumb  monitors  relate. 

If  I  fhoiild  on  them  fome  time  contemplate? 

*'  That  under  this  circumference  lay, 

<"  Such  and  fuch  pieces  of  deceafed  clay, 

*'  Which  lived  once,  could  play,  converfe  and  move, 

*'  And  thro'  life's  various  fcenes  of  acSlion  rove  .; 

*VThat,  to  preferve  their  names  they  had  the  care, 

**  And  of  their  memories  the  truftees  were.^* 

Now,  being  rouz'd  from  deep  contemplation, 

Ah !   cry'd  I,  is  fuch  my  fituation  ! 

The  everlafting  God  doth  me  furround. 

And  bones  of  fellow-creatures  laid  in  ground  ! 

With  the  revering  patriarch,  fure  I, 

**  How  terrifying  is  this  place  !"  iliould  cry. 

Devotion,  and  a  fober  frame  become 

To  all  eternity  this  holy  dome. 

O  may  I  never  enter  lightly  here. 

But  witli  an  awe  profound,  and  godly  fear  ! 

From  all  irreverence  may  I  be  free. 

And  banilh  ev'ry  fign  of  levity  ! 

''That  they  were  wife,''  th'  infpired  penman  fliid,'^ 

When  for  liis  people  his  laft  wiih  he  made,  ^ 

He  breathed  it  out,  and  Nature's  will  obey'd.  J 

But  what  is  wifdom  ?  It  wx  cannot  find. 

To  fpcculations  critical  confined  ; 

Refe arches  into  nature  cannot  Ihew, 

Nor  hillory  entire  tliis  gift  bcilovv. 

In  his  next  afpiration,  the  divine 

law-giver  fays,  **  That  this  they  would  define/* 

That  they  had  apprchenfions  to  difccrn 

Their  welfare,  fpiritual,  and  their  fouls'  concern  !'* 


in) 

That  they  had  eyes,  and  wilh'd  things  to  purfue. 

From  which  their  peace  eternal  would  enfue  ! 

How  can  the  race  of  mortals,  poor  and  mean. 

Knowledge  io  infinitely  rich  attain  ? 

I  fend  them  not,  the  rev'rend  teacher  faid. 

To  read  the  works  of  all  alive  or  dead ; 

Bv  thinking  of  their  latter  end  they  can. 

This  awful  fcience  with  lefs  trouble  fcan. 

This  fpark  of  heav'n  is  very  often  loft. 

By  glittering  pomp  of  erudition  croft  ; 

But  ihiines  moft  evidently  in  the  gloom 

And  dreary  habitations  of  the  tomb. 

Drow^n'd  in  this  gentle  w^hifper,  in  life's  cares, 

Amidft  the  noife  of  fecular  affairs  ; 

But  in  retirement  moft  deftindlly  fpeaks, 

-  And  for  its  dwelling  contemplation  takes. 
Behold  how  providentially  I'm  brought, 

To  wifdom's  fchool,  fo  worthy  to  be  fought ! 

A  very  faithful  mafter  is  the  grave, 

And  thefe  tomb-ftone's  inftructive  leflbns  leave. 

Come  calm  attention;  and  my  thoughts  compofe  \ 

And,  heav'nly  fpirit !   blefs  what  you  difclofe  I 

That  fo  thefe  awful  pages  I  may  read. 

As  to  ''  falvation  to  grow  wife''  indeed  ! 

Searching  mortality's  records  I  found. 

That  with  memorials  they  did  abound. 

Of  numbers  who,  promifcuoufly  here, 

Had  bid  adieu  to  earthly  joy  and  fear. 

Huddled  they  were,  and  did  together  lie. 

Of  rank  regardlefs  or  fcniority. 

-  Within  thishoufe  of  mourning,  for  chief  feats. 
Or  for  the  higheft  rooms,  were  no  debates  ; 
Or  eager  cxpedations  none  here  dwell. 

Of  being  honor'd  in  their  darkfome  cclL 
Men  ot  experience,  and  years,  who,  when. 
They  liv'd,  were  oracles  to  other  men  ;' 


(  H  ) 

At  feet  of  babes  contented  were  to  flcep^ 

And  here  uninterrupted  iilence  keep. 

Mafter  and  fervants,  with  hke  ornanicnts. 

Were  clad,  who  lodg'd  in  thefe  cold  tenements. 

The  poor  as  foundly  flept,  as  foftly  lay, 

As  the  poflcfTor,  opulent  and  gay. 

All  the  diflindion  that  in  them  I  founds 

A  graffy  hillock  was,  with  oliers  bound. 

Or  fepulchrcs  with  imagery  crownM. 

What,  faid  my  working  thoughts,  Ihould  we  complain 

For  rank  of  precedence,  as  things  fo  vain  ; 

Since  equal  meannefs  is  each  perfon's  fate 

When  thus  changed  to  another  ftatc  ? 

Why  fhould  we  then,  exalt  ourfelves  fo  high. 

Or  debafe  others  for  their  poverty; 

Since  we  muflall,  on  our  allotted  day. 

In  common  mix,  in  undiftinguifli'd  clay  ? 

Oh  !   that  his  cogitation  might  pull  down. 

The  pride  of  other  people,  and  my  own ; 

And  our  imaginations  fink  as  low, 

As  our  frail  dwellings  muft  in  fliort  time  bow  ! 

Among  thefe  relics,  doubtlefs  we  will  find, 

A  jarring  int'reft,  and  difcordant  mind  ; 

But,  like  fome  able  days-man,  death  has  laid 

On  the  contending  parties,  hands,  and  made 

Their  former  variances  all  obey, 

And  to  an  amicable  end  give  way. 

Here  thofc  who,  living,  were  at  enmity, 

By  death  are  brought  to  dwell  in  unity. 

Here  all  embittcr'd  thoughts  they  drop,  nor  know 

The  fmallcrt  difference  'twixt  friend  or  foe. 

Perhaps  their  crumbling  bones  togctlier  all. 

Unite  in  common,  as  they  mouldVingfall. 

Thofe  who  were  filled  with  invct'ratehate. 

And  for  each  other  ills  did  meditate ; 

Here  to  their  quarrels  put  a  peaceful  end. 

And  friendly  in  the  grave  together  blend. 


(     ^5     ) 

O  !   that  thefe  afnes  would  fuch  council  give. 

That  we  together  might  in  friendfliip  live  ; 

Refentment's  fever  from   our  minds  erafe, 

Norfuffer  paffion's  fiercenefs  to  increafe 

Mindlefs  of  injuries,   and  free  from  ftrife. 

To  pafs  the  thorny  road  of  human  life  ; 

That  no  more  variance  the  quick  might  dread  ; 

Than's  in  the  congregation  of  the  dead  ? 

But  I  fuch  general  remarks  fufpend, 

And  to  particulars  my  thoughts  now  bend. 

Yonder  white  ftone  doth  evidently  fhew. 

An  emblem  of  innocence  below; 

And  tells  each  paffenger,  that,  vmderneath,  "] 

A  tender  infant  lies,  configned  to  death,  ^ 

When  it  had  fcarce  receivM  the  gift  of  breath.  J 

There  lies  the  peaceful  infant,  without  pain. 

Nor  knows  what  labour  and  vexation  mean; 

There  it  *'  lies  quiet''  with  no  care  opprefs'd. 

It  fleeps  profoundly  ftill  ^*  and  is  at  reft/' 

When  in  the  right'ous  laver  of  the  Lord, 

It  was  to  fecond  fpotlefs  birth  reftor'd  ; 

Regenerated,  'twould  no  longer  ftay,  ^ 

When  its  im.purities  wxre  wafli'd  away  ; 

But,  bound  for  heav'n,  ftretch'd  out  its  callow  'wingSj 

And  took  a  fpeedy  leave  of  earthly  things  : 

What  did  the  little  fojourner,  then,  find. 

So  hateful  and  difgufting  'mongft  mankind. 

That  itfo  foonto  leave  them  was  difpos'd 

And  on  the  world  its  eyes  for  ever  clos'd  ? 

Its  Saviour  would  not  think,  before  he  dy'd. 

When  he  the  vinegar  and  gall  had  try'd. 

And,  had  our  new-come  ftranger  to  its  lip, 

The  cup  of  life  rais'd,  and  begun  to  fip. 

But,  when  the  bitter  potion  it  had  prov'd, 

Refus'd  the  draught,  and  ftraight  its  head  remov'd  ? 

Was  this  the  reafon  that  the  babe  fo  fhy, 

Look'd  en  the  light  with  a  fcarce  open'd  eye  5 


(     i6    ) 

Then  did  to  more  invitino-  reo^ions  haftc. 

The  fweets  of  undiftiirb'd  rcpofe  to  tafte. 

O  happy  voyager  !   who  launched  abroad 

Diredly  to  the  wilh'd-for  haven  rode  ! 

More  happy  they,  who,  by  the  billows  toft, 

The  dangerous    tempeils    of  the  w^orld  have  crofs'd> 

And  to  fafe  harbour  have  at  laft  attained, 

By  many  ftorms  and  grievous  troubles  gain'd  ! 

Who  **  thro'  various  tribulations  driv'n, 

**  Have  entered  finally  the  part  of  heav'n,'' 

To  their  convoy  divine  have  blifs  fecur'd. 

And  to  their  fellow-toilers  joy  procured  ; 

Have  giv'n,  examples  with  good  counfel  fraught, 

By  v/hich  fucceeding  pilgrims  might  be  taught  i 

O  fortunate  probation  !   who  were 

Chofen  without  exercife  of  pain  or  care  I 

^Twas  thy  particular  privilege  to  be 

From  all  the  woes  of  thy  furvivors  free  : 

Which  oft  the  braveft  fortitude  opprefs, 

And  on  the  firmeft  faith  inflict  diftrcfs. 

Affliction's  arrows,  with  fore  anguilh  barb'd. 

Are  for  our  choiceft  comforts  oft  referv'd. 

Temptation's  fiery  darts  for  ever  fly, 

iPy  Satan  aim'd  at  our  integrity. 

But  you,  fvveet  babe,  by  Providence  belov'd. 

From  fuch  diflrels  and  danger  were  removed. 

Think  then  ye  mourning  parents,  nor  comv^lain 

For  brcathlcfs  children,  us  ye  weep  in  vain. 

Why  Ihould  you  be  in  lamentations  drown^i 

While  your  babes  with  victory  are  crown'd. 

Before  the  fword  was  drawn,  or  cruel  ftrifc 

Had  fhcd  its  venom  on  the  ills  of  life  ? 

Perhaps  Almighty  Go^I  forefaw  fomc  wile. 

Some  tempting  evil  that  fliould  them  beguile^ 

Of  fore  advcrfity,  a  dreadful  florm. 

Or  of  dire  wickcdncfs,  a  monllrous  form. 


-  '      (  I?  ) 

How  then  m  words,  which  nothing  can  avail, 
Againfl:  that  kind  precaution  dare  you  rail  ? 
That  which  your  dear  and  plea  fan  t  plant  conveyed 
Free  from  temptation  to  a  fragrant  fhade  ; 
Before  the  light'nings  flew,  the  thunders  roarM 
And  its  deftruftive  rage  the  tempeft  pour'd  ? 
Remember  that  of  them  you're  not  bereaved 
But  from  ^*  the  coming  evil  they  are  fav'd  ;'' 
And  let  furvivors,  doomed  to  bear  the  heat 
And  burden  of  the  day,  with  joy  relate. 
That  this  for  their  encouragement  they've  got. 
More  honors  won  by  having  bravely  fought. 
Than  {hould  the  viclory  with  eafe  be  gain'd. 
Or  a  rich  prize  be  with  fmall  toil  obtained. 
They  who  with  refignation  could  obey 
Affliftive  Providence's  angry  fway ; 
And  who  glad  homage  to  the  crofs  have  paid, 
On  v/hich  their  blefs'd  Redeemer  once  was  laid  ^ 
Who  did  their  minds  with  perfeverance  fill. 
And  faithfully  perform  their  mafter's  will  : 
Thefe,  after  they  on  earth  God's  praife  have  fung,. 
While  fervent  gratitude  infpir'd  each  tongue. 
Perhaps  in  Heav'n  like  brighteft  ftars  will  blaze^ 
And  fpread  around  them  their  refulgent  rays  ; 
Shall  in  God's  everlafting  kingdom  fee 
Stronger  joy  beam  forth  in  an  high  degree. 

Here  a  fond  mother's  grief  is  funk  to  reft, 
Theblafted  hope  of  a  kind  father's  breafl. 
Like  a  well  water'd  plant  the  youth  up  grew. 
Shot  deep,  rofe  high,  and  manhood  had  in  viev/  y 
But  as  the  cedar  juil:  began  to  tow'r. 
Its  branching  head  within  the  verdant  bow'r  i 
And  promised  in  a  little  time  to  lay. 
O'er  all  the  trees,  an  arbitrary  fway  ; 
Behold  unto  the  root  the  axe  is  laid. 
The  blow  is  ftruck^  by  which  its  honours  fade. 

G 


(     »8     ) 

And  did  he  fall  alone  ?  O  !  no  ;  the  joy 

And  comfort  of  his  father,  brought  fo  high ; 

And  all  the  hopes  which  fiU'd  a  mother's  heart, 

Axt  once  v/cre  blafted  by  death's  fatal  dart. 

Doubtjcfs,  it  would  have  pierc'd  one's  heart  to  view 

The  tender  parents  their  dead  Ton  purfue. 

Perhaps  o'er^vhelm'd  with  tears,  void  of  rehef 

On  this  lame  fpot  they  flood,  choak'd  up  with  grief. 

This  thought  diflurbs  me,  and  mcthinks  I  fee 

The  griev'd  pair  at  this  fad  folemnity. 

Their  hands  they  wring,  in  agonizing  pain. 

And  weep  their  lov'd,  loll  fon,  but  weep  in  vain. 

Is  it  but  fancy  all  ?  or  do  I  hear 

The  mother's  anguifli  for  her  breathlefs  dear ; 

Of  her  foul's  darling  taking  her  laft  leave, 

While  for  her  pangs  no  comfort  fhe'U  receive? 

Dumb  ihe  remained,  while  Ihe  fees. 

The  end  put  to  the  awful  obfcquies  ; 

She  leans  upon  the  partner  of  her  woes, 

''Till  irrepreffible  her  torture  grows. 

Her  forrows  of  all  comfort  her  bereaves; 

She  haftily  advances  to  the  grave. 

And  faflcns  one  more  look  on  her  lov'd  boy. 

The  lafl:,  alas  I   flie  ever  muft  enjoy  ; 

And  as  flie  looks,  with  mournful  words  flie  cries. 

With  broken  accents,  and  heart-rending  fighs  ; 

•'  Farewell,  my  fon  !  my  deareil  fon,  farewell  ! 

*'  Would  to  God  I  had  died  ere  you  fell  ! 

**  I^^irevvell,  my  child,  to  happinefs  and  you  ! 

*'  To  both  I  now  for  ever  bid  adieu  ! 

*'  Tlu'nk  not  that  pleafure  can  for  mc  be  found, 

•*  My  head  fhall  fink  with  forrow  to  thegrt)und." 

From  this  affliding  figlu  let  parents  know. 
What  to  their  children's  interclt  they  owe; 
If  they  thro'  moral  paths  would  have  them  run, 
And  flic  deflrudivc  w  iles  of  Satan  Ihun : 


(     19    ) 

If  your  own  bodies'  ofFspring  can  you  move. 

If  you  regard  thofe  pledges  of  your  love: 

O  1   fpare  no  pains ;  be  diligent  to  teach 

Counfel,  by  which  they  may  to  heaven  reach  ; 

By  which  they  faving  wifdom  may  receive, 

And  in  *'  the  nurture  of  the  Lord  may  live." 

Then  may  their  life  yield  comfort  to  your  mind. 

Or  in   their  death  you'll  confolation  find. 

If  their  fpan  is  prolonged,  their  blamelefs  ways 

Will  be  a  ftaff  for  your  declining  days. 

If  in  the  midft  their  years  be  lopp'd  away, 

With  greater  hopes,  and  with  lefs  fears  you  may 

Commit  their  lifelefs  bodies  to  the  clay ; 

Than  the  furvivors  you  can  fend  to  know 

What  benefits  from  education  flow\ 

The  future  hopes,  of  having  them  reftor'd. 

Will  folace  for  your  prefent  lofs  afford  ; 

When  you  receive  them  to  your  longing  arm.s, 

Highly  improvM  in  noble,  godly  charms. 

A  trial  hard  it  is,  I  muft  confefs. 

And  more  afflicSive  than  I  can  exprefs, 

A  blooming  child,  fprung  from  your  loins  to  leave 

In  the  receffes  of  the  gloomy  grave : 

Upon  your  knees  w^hom  you  have  dandled  long. 

And  caught  delightful  accents  from  its  tongue; 

Join'd  to  your  love  by  many  a  fond  tie, 

Become  now  both  the  comfort  of  your  eye. 

And  the  fupporter  of  your  family  ! 

Doubtlefs  you  would  in  keeneft  anguifli  mourn. 

To  have  the  dear  one  from  your  bolbm  torn. 

But,  O  !  you  and  the  child  would  more  be  croft. 

To  have  his  foul  from  God  for  ever  loft; 

For  early  fin,  or  fhameful  want  of  grace. 

Debarred  from  ev'ry  h^pe  of  faving  peace  ; 

And  doom'd  to  regions  of  corroding  pain, 

With  friends  m  cndlefs  torments  to  remain  ! 


(      20      ) 

HcAV  would  it  your  diftreffes  aggravate, 

Confcious  of  your  neglect,  when  now  too  laic. 

If  thefe  refieftions  fliould  your  mind  employ, 

While  weeping  you  attend  your  breathlefs  boy  ! 

**  This  child,  tho' capable  to  know  long  iince, 

*'  Between  what's  good  and  ill  the  difference  ; 

^'  Is  from  the  world  rcmovM  before  it  knew 

**  The  mighty  end  for  which  life's  breath  it  drew- 

*'  A  niomentary  life  it  had  from  me, 

**  But  no  inflrudion  fraught  with  piety  ; 

***  Nothing  from  me  its  happinefs  t*  infure, 

*'  In  that  llate  which  it  now  miift  ftill  endure. 

*'  The  breathlefs  corpfc  is  in  the  coffin  plac'd> 

**  And  left  in  the  cold,  filent  grave  to  wafle: 

*'  And  what  good  reafonhave  I  to  fuppofe, 

**  It's  precious  foul  enjoys  m.ore  fweetrepofe? 

**  Why  may  I  not  more  juffly  apprehend, 

*'  Eternal  punifliment  mull  be  it's  end ; 

*^  That,  by  a  judge,  impartially  fevere, 

■*'  'Tis  fentenc'd  endlefs  mifery  to  bear  ? 

**  While  I  v.eep  at  its  imtimely  fate, 

^'  In  utter  darknefs  it  may  deprecate 

^'  Its  hated  birth-day,    and  forever  mourn, 

'^  That  'twas  of  fuch  a  wicked  parent  born.'* 

Nought  but  the  worm,  that  fliall  forever  live, 

Can  anguilh  like  felf-condemnation  give. 

Racks,  pains,  and  tortures  muft  be  eafy  things, 

Contraftcd  with  remorfe's  jjnawino-  ftin<rs. 

How  very  carncffly  I  wiih,  that  they 

Who  have  the  management  of  children,  may 

Take  againft  confciencc-fcourges  timely  care. 

Which,  at  the  lafl,  intollerablc  arc; 

By  ilriving  early  in  their  minds  to  move, 

Knowledge  of  Cbrijt,  of  truth,  a  cordial  love  ! 

On  this  hand  one  is  lodg'd   whofc  tomb  does  fliew 
A  taie^  indeed^  of  pitiable  woe  J 


(  2^  ) 

Well  may  the  little  images  recline. 

O'er  the  dumb  afhes  hang  their  heads,  and  pine  I 

None  can  the  melancholy  ftory  hear, 

But  fure  muft  drop,  the  fympathifing  tear- 

Juft twenty-eight  his  age  ;   fudden  his  death; 

Himfelf  in  prime  of  life  deprived  of  breath  : 

*'  His  bones  with  manly  marrow^  were  replete, 

''  Full  were  his  breafts  of  milk,'*  w^ien  cruel  fate 

Did  from  the  body  call  his  foul  away. 

And  give  the  carcafe  to  its  parent  clay. 

Perhaps  his  mind,  with  many  pleafures  fraught^ 

Of  th'  evil  hour,  had  entertained  no  thought. 

And,  who  could  any  apprehenfions  have. 

So  bright  a  fun,  the  world  at  noon  fliould  leave  ? 

Men  thought  his  hill,  flood  in  a  firm-fix'd  place; 

Long  life  feem'd  written  in  his  fanguine  face  : 

Large  trains  of  earthly  fatisfadlion  were. 

The  fure  folaces  of  his  greateft  care- 

V/hen  lo  !   an  unexpected  ftroke  defcends, 

From  that  ftrong  arm,  *  which  lofty  mountains  rends  ;* 

Which,  like  the  '*  m^oth,  the  felf-thought  hero's  might 

Crufhes,^^   refiftlefs,  into  gloomy  night ; 

And  that  as  quickly  and  with  much  more  eafe. 

Than  men  to  death  that  feeble  infed:  fqueeze. 

Perhaps  the  profpe6t  of  his  nuptial  joy, 

Was  all  that  did  his  warmed  thoughts  employ  ; 

Perhaps  the  breathings  of  his  love-fick  breaft. 

Were  in  a  language  like  to  this  exprefs'd  : 

''  Yet  but  a  little  while,  and  Til  poflTefs, 

**  The  utmofL"  of  all  human  happinefs  : 

''  Fll  call  my  charmer  mine,  and  in  her  have, 

*'  The  greateft  comfort  that  my  heart  can  crave  T^, 

In  fuch  inchanting  views  did  fome  kind  friend. 

Bid  on  the  opening  grave  his  eyes  to  bend. 

And  foftly  hint  the  momentary  fpan, 

On  earth  allotted  to  that  creature,  man. 


(      22      ) 

How  vaftly  out  of  time  would  he  have  thought. 
The  admonitions  which  he  then  was  taught  ! 
Tho'  rich  in  feeming  bhfs,  and  warm  his  blood, 
He  on  the  brink  of  diffolution  ftood. 
Dreadful  viciffitude  !   that  bridal  joys 
Should  be  exchanged  for  death's  folemnities  ! 
Deplorable  misfortune  !  to  be  loft 
On  a  fondly-imagin'd  friendly  coaft  ! 
E'er  in  the  haven,  fliipwreck  to  endure, 
And  link,  when  happinefs  was  deem'd  fecure ! 
O  !   what  a  memorable  proof  is  here, 
In  beft  eftate  how  frail  and  vain  men  are  ! 
Ye  gay  and  carelefs,  look,  behold  this  tomb  ! 
Regard  this  day  ;  to-morrow  ne'er  may  come  ! 
Who  can  tell  but  the  ioyful  bride-maids  fpread. 
And  carefully  prepared  the  marriage-bed? 
With  richeft  covers  had  it  deck'd  and  grac'd. 
And  fofteft  downy  pillows  on  it  plac'd  ? 
When — O  !  do  not  on  youth  or  Itrength  rely, 
Since  mortal  beings  have  no  certainty  ; 
But  truft  in  God  unchangeable  on  high. 
Death,  unrelenting  death,  prepares  to  find. 
In  the  cold  earth,  beds  of  another  kind. 
Unto  his  grave  he  muft  be  carried  out, 
Not  with  a  fplendid  or  a  joyful  rout ; 
But,  ftretched  in  the  gloomy  hearlb  he  lies, 
While  mourning  friends  attend  the  obfequics. 
He  muft  on  this  take  up  his  refting-place. 
Nor  ever  change  it  **  'till  the  heavens  ceafc." 
In  vain  the  yielding  fair  her  drefs  puts  on, 
And  lacks  for  nothing  but  her  fpoufc,    alone. 
Did  flie  not  like  Sifera's  mother  peep 
Out  of  the  lattice,  wond'ring  what  could  keep 
Her  much-delired,  long-expedlcd  love, 
Or  '*  make  his  chariot- wheels  fo  llowly  move  ?'' 
Little  fufpcdling  her  intended  mate, 
Had  done  with  all  his  tranfitory  ftate  ! 


(       23      ) 

That  everlafling  cares  his  mind  employ. 

None  oihucirida,  once  his  chiefeft  joy  ! 

Go,  difappointed  virgin  !   weep,  and  know, 

All  is  **  uncertainty  of  blifs  below  V 

Go  teach  thy  foul  afpiring  to  purfue 

Felicity,  immutable  and  true  ! 

Fidelioy  once  gay  and  gallant,  refts, 

And  dearh,  his  miftrefs,  clafps  him  to  her  breafts  ; 

She  holds  him  in  lier  icy  arms,  while  he 

Forgets,  for  e'er  forgets  the  world — and  thee. 

Thus  far,  'gainfl  death,  one's  tempted  to  exclaim. 
And  him,  capricioufly,  cruel  name. 
By  thus  beginning  with  the  regifter. 
We  think  all  nature's  laws  inverted  are. 
He  palling  o'er  decrepit  age's  bed. 
The  bud  of  infancy  has  oft  ftruck  dead; 
Youtii  he  has  blailedere,  to  manhood  come. 
And  torn  up  manhood  in  its  fulleft  bloom. 
Dreadful  thefe  providences  muft  appear  j 
Yet  not  unfearchable  the  counfels  are. 
Such  ftrokes  the  relatives  not  only  grieve. 
From  them  the  neighbourhood  furprize  receive. 
A  powerful  alarm  they  loudly  found. 
To  rouze  frail  mortals  from  their  deep  profound  ^ 
And  are  intended  as  a  remedy, 
Againft  our  carnal,  rafh  fecurity. 
Such  paffing-bells  in  ftrongeft  terms  proclaim. 
The  admonition  which  from  Jefus  came  ; 
**  Take  ye  heed,  therefore,  always  watch  and  pray, 
*'  For  ye  neither  the  hour  know,  nor  the  day," 
We,  like  intoxicated  creatures,  Aide 
On  a  tremendous  precipice's  fide. 
Thefe  difpenfations,  with  amazing  love, 
The  meffengers  of  Heav'n  themfelves  approve  ; 
From  our  fupinefs  urging  us  to  wake, 
And  timely  circumfpe^Sion  wifely  take. 


(      24      ) 

In  vvorJs,  I  furely  need  not  them  exprefcJ, 

Or  their  interpreter  myfelf  profefs. 

Let  each  one's  confcicncc  be  awake,  and  then 

They  will  appear  thus  awfully  to  mean ; 

•*  For  your  laft  end,  ye  fons  of  men,  prepare; 

•'  Since  in  the  midll:  of  life  in  death  ye  are. 

••  Noftate,  no  circumftance  can  afcertain, 

"  Your  fafety,  nor  a  fingle  moment  gain. 

•*  So  ftrong  and  mighty  is  the  tyrant's  hand, 

•*  That  nothing  human  can  its  force  withlland  ; 

•'  His  aim's  fo  certain,   when  his  ihafts  are  fent, 

"  That  of  the  number  not  one  is  mifpent. 

•*  His  arrows  oft  as  quick  as  light'ning  fly, 

**  And  wound  and  kill  in  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

"  By  conftant  preparation  you  can  be, 

"  In  all  expedients,  from  danger  free. 

**  The  fatal  fnafts  fo  much  in  common  fall, 

•*  That  none  can  guefs  who'll  next  obey  the  call. 

•'  Then  be  ye  ftill  in  readincfs  to  go, 

*'  The  final  fummons  comes  when  leaft  ycknow.'* 

Important  counfel  !  forth  mcthinks,  it  breaks, 

From  fcpulchre  fo  fepulchre,  and  makes, 

in  lines  addreffcs,  and  in  precepts  fpeaks. 

The  oft-repeated  warning,  I  confefs. 

Is  but  too  needful  for  my  happincfs  ; 

'\nd  may  it,  by  co-operating  grace, 

i!^flcd:iially  work  a  faving  peace  ! 

This  truth,  which  we  with  tranfport  fhould  receive ; 

And  deeply  on  our  memories  engrave  ; 

Is  only  ikctched  lightly  on  the  mind, 

And  leaves  nought  but  a  llendcr  mark  behind. 

\Vc  view  our  ul  ighbours  fick ;  we   fee  them  dead  ; 

We  then  turn  pale,  and  feel  a  trembling  dread  ; 

No  fooner  are  they  to  our  profped:  loli, 

But,  cither  in  the  whirl  of  buiincfs  tofs^d. 

Or  in  lethargic  pleafurcs  lulled  v/c 

Forget  the  errand  of  the  deity. 


(      25      ) 

Our  minds  unliable  an  impreffion   feel,  "| 

Like  the  thin  air  piercVi  by  the  barbed  ileel,  S^ 

Or  billows  furrow'dby  the  cutting  keel,  J 

To  cure  this  wonderful  ftupidity, 
A  neighboring  monument  addreffes  me. 
It  a  poor  mortal's  Itory  comprehends, 
Caird  to  the  dread  tribunal  from  his  friends  j 
Without  time,  of  one,  farewell  to  take, 
Or  for  the  other  a  (hort  pray'r  to  make  j 
Kiird,  as  the  afual  expredions  flow. 
By  a  fudden,  and  accidental  blow. 
Was  it  a  chance  wound  ?  Doubtlefs  the  ftroke,  cana§ 
From  an  hand  which  invifibly  took  aim. 
The  heavenly  angels  the  Great  Lord  obey. 
Who  ruleth  all  things  in  the  earth  and  fea ; 
Except  God  pleafeth  nothing  can  advance, 
'Tis  he  diredleth  that  which  men  call  chance. 
Nothing,  ^tis  plain,  can  ever  come  to  light. 
But  what  he  plans  and  regulates  aright. 
If  accidents  fall  out,  they  ever  muft 
Proceed  from  Gody  and  what  he  wills  is  juft. 
The  Lord,  with  whom  the  iffues  of  Hfe  are^ 
The  warrant  and  commiflion  did  prepare. 
The  difafter,  thought  cafual,  is  only 
The  tool  to  execute  the  great  decree. 
When  wicked  Ahab  fell,  it  was  believ'd 
He  accidently  his  death  received. 
^^  A  certain  man  at  venture  drew  a  bow," 
To  him  at  venture,  for  he  thought  it  fo. 
But  Gc?i  omnipotent,  who  dwells   on  high, 
His  arm  had  ftrengthened,  and  could  defcry ; 
The  iliaft  w^as  aim'd  by  an  unerring  eye. 
So  that  which  men  call  chance  is  juft  the  fame. 
As  Providence,  chang'd  only  in  its  name; 
Which  can  deliberate  defigns  reveal. 
And  its  mterpofition  ftill  conceal. 

D 


I 


(     ^6     ) 

How  cheering  this  rerieaion  is,  to  cure 

The  thrcbbing.anguifli  which  mourners  endure  ! 

How  admirabl)^  fitted  to  conipofe  * 

Their  fpirits,  yielding  to  a  v>  eight  of  woes  ! 

How  excellently  fuited  to  eraie,  "^ 

The  tears  of  good  furvivors,  making  place,  V 

E'en  ill  the  midil:  of  countlefs  griefs, ^for  peace.     J 

The  wall  *twixt  this  world  and  the  next  how  thin  I 

We're  out  of  this  almoli  as  foon  as  in  ! 

Our  nollrils'  breath  does  only  Icparatc, 

Our  prefent  being  from  another  llate  ; 

We  may  the  journey  make  fo  haftily, 

We  live  this  moment,  but  the  next  may  die. 

From  a  card -table  C/3/r;;;y///.rarofe, 

And  Death,  in  darknefs,  did  his  eyes  enclofe. 

One  night  Corinna,  gay  and  fprightly  all, 

Was  richlly  drelTcd  at  a  fplendid  hall : 

The  next  a  corpfe,  pale,  iliff,  and  wan  Hie  lay, 

And  ready  to  be  mingled  with  the  clay. 

Young  Atticus  liv^d  only  to  complete 

His  ample,  collly,  and  commodious  feat  ; 

]3ut  Death,  the  dreadful  tyrant,  Death  debarred 

Him  from  all  pkafiue  in  the  houfe  he  rear'd. 

Hung  were  the  lalhes  to  admit  the  light, 

But  their  lord's  eyes  were  clos'd  in  cndlefs  night. 

Chambers  w  crc  iiirnilli'd  to  invite  repofe. 

Or  pleafure  which  focictv  bcftows ; 

But  in  the  lonely,  filent  maniions  of  the  tomb 

Their  owner  rcils,  in  his  low  earthly  room  ; 

Gardens  were  plann'd  according  to  his  mind, 

A  thoufand  noble  ornaments  delign  d  ; 

But,  to  the  place  of  Ikulls,  deprivM  of  breath, 

Their  mailer\s  gone  down  to  the  vale  of  Death. 

Many  I  doubt  not,  while  I  recolledt, 

This  tragical  viciihtude  exped. 

The  eyes  of  that  great  Cod  who  fits  upon 

The  circle  of  l)ie  earth,  and  views  with  owz 


(     ^7     ) 

Al!-feeing  look  the  poor  iojourners  there. 
See  many  tents  which  now  afflidled  are  : 
Afflicted,  as  when  in  one  night  the  pride 
And  ftrength  of"  the  /Egyptians  w^ere  deftroyed  i 
When  the  refiillels  arrows  flew  abroad. 
Shot  by  the  heavenly  meflcnger  of  God, 
Some  from  their  eafy  chairs  link  on  the  floor, 
Korean  their  ihriekincr  friends  rehef  orocure  : 
Some  in  an  arbour,  as  rechnM  they  he, 
Tafting  the  fvveets  which  from  the  bloffoms  fly  %. 
Some  as  in  pleafure-boats  they  fail  along, 
O'er  dancing ftreams,  or  laughing  meads  among> 
Nor  is  the  grim  intruder  molhiied, 
Tho'  wine  and  mulicflow^on  either  fide, 
Som.e  intercepted  on  their  journey  home  ; 
And  as  they  enter  on  great  matters  fome* 
Some  are  affailM,  as  in  their  hands  they  hold 
The  gains  for  which  their  juftice  has  been  fold  i 
And  even  fomie  are  taken  by  furpnfe, 
Jufl  as  they  lull  or  malice  exercife. 
No  care  can  ftop  no  prudence  can  forfee. 
The  varyM  ills  which  wait  us  conflantly. 
Numbetlefs  dangers  compafs  men'  around  ; 
A  ftarting  horfe  may  fling  one  on  the  ground  ;, 
And,  while  his  body  on  the  ftones  is  thrown. 
His  foul  is  launched  into  the  world  unknown. 
A  ftack  of  chimnies,  tumbling  from  on  high, 
May  cfufh  the  man  who  thinks  no  danger  nigh  ^ 
Or  e'en  the  dropping  of  a  fmgle  tile, 
May  prove  as  fatal  as  the  total  pik. 
The  thread  of  life's  fo  very  thin  and  wxak> 
It  ftorms  not  only  tear,  but  breezes  break. 
Occurrences  mofl  common  whence  we  fear 
No  harm,  may  weapons  of  deflrucSion  bear. 
A  grape  ftone,  or  an  infedt,  for  our  doom 
Fatal  as  arm'd  Go.liah  may  become.. 


(     .8     ) 

Nay,  if  x\lmighty  GoJ  command  faould  givc,^ 

vVe  from  our  comforts  would  our  death  receive. 

The  air  wc  brcathe's  our  bane,  the  food  we  eat, 

Conthbutes  much  our  hfe  t'  attenuate. 

Tl;e  enemy  does  on  us  oft  encroach. 

By  many  roads  that  further  an  approach  : 

^ca,  lies  intrenched  in  our  very  veins. 

An  J  in  the  feat  of  life  his  fort  retains. 

The  crjmfon  blood,  with  which  our  health  is  fedy 

Is  w^ith  the  feeds  of  death  impregnated. 

Ir/:;amM  with  heat,  or  by  great  toil  annoy  M, 

The  parts  defign'd  to  cheriih  are  deftroy'd. 

Some  caufe  unieen  its  pafTagc  may  revert. 

Or  violence  unknown  its  courfe  divert ; 

By  either  of  which  cafes  if  it  moves, 

Apois'nous  draught,  or  deadly  ftab  it  proves. 

Since  the  polfcffion  of  our  earthly  houfe. 

Is  fo  uncertain  and  precarious  ; 

Let  us  be  always  ready,  and  prepare, 

To  flit,  fince  but  at  will  we  tenants  are. 

Except  we  thus  prove  good  habitually, 

VVe  arc  like  wretches  that  on  top-malls  lie, 

And  fouhdly  fleep,  tho'  tempelts  raging  blo#, 

Whilft  the  great  deep  impetuous  heaves  belowi 

What  fatisfadions  can  our  hearts  elate? 

Can  peace  or  comfort  be  in  fuch  a  flate? 

Whereas,  a  conftant  pfeparation  will, 

Into  our  bofoms  chcerfuh^iefs  inflill ; 

Which,  for  our  peace,  will  efficacious  prove^ 

And  which  no  low  vexation  can  remove  ; 

And  a  firm  conflancy  of  mind  create, 

Not  to  be  qucird  by  any  dangerous  threat. 

When  the  town  with  flrong  w^ajls  is  fortify 'd. 

And  with  great  OjUantities  of  food  fupplyM ; 

Well  guarded  by  ftout  troops,  rclolvM  to  fight, 

What  then  can  the  inhabmuUs  affright, 

Who  may  rejoice  eVn  when  the  foe's  in  ficrht  ? 


(     -9    ) 

l^'hc  tafte  of  life,  of  death,  the  Conftant  Mind, 

By  fuch,  or  by  much  firmer  bands  are  join'd. 

I  faid  fhould  God  Ahnighty  orders  give, 

We  from  our  comforts,  would  our  death  receive  : 

And  fee  the  truth  infcnbed  by  the  hand, 

That  feaFd  fate's  warrant  and  gave  the  command. 

Yon  marble-graced  monument  contains. 
My  once-lov'd  friend's  depofited  remains; 
There  does  the  body  of  Sobhronia  lie, 
Lamented  much,  who  did  in  child-bed  die. 
Alas  !   how  oh  the  tender  branches  llioot, 
When  the  flem  whithers  to  the  very  root  ! 
The  infant  often  is  prefervM  from  death, 
While  fhe  that  bare  him  yields  her  lateft  breath,* 
She  gives  him  life  j  but,  pitiable  thought  1 
The  life  Ihe  gives,  by  her  own  death  is  bought; 
And  tho'  her  infant's  eyes  are  brought  to  light. 
Yet  her's  areclos'd  in  everlafling  night. 
Or  fhe  expires,  perhaps,  in  pangs  fevere; 
And,  for  her  offspring,  does  a  tomb  prepare. 
While  the  complaint,  of  a  fad  monarch  doth 
Afford  a  mournful  epitaph  for  both  : 

*  Alas !   the  children  to  th©  birth  are  come, 

*  And  there's  not  flrength  to  yield  them  from  the  womt , 
In  my  opinion,  w^e  ought  not  to  grieve 

So  much  the  lofs  we  in  this  cafe  receive. 
Better,  the  ftranger  in  the  womb  fliould  reft. 
Than  living,  by  affliftionsbe  opprefs'd. 
Better  its  eyes  fhould  in  the  womb  be  closed* 
Than  to  a  world  {o  dang'rous  be  exposed. 
Without  the  guide  of  its  infantile  days  ; 
Wanting  a  mother  to  dired:  its  w^ays. 

Diftindion's  eafily  in  this  tomb  found. 
By  the  grand  ornaments  with  which  'tis  crown'dl* 
Affluent  hands,  it  feems,  the  model  drew, 
Direded  by  ^  uoble  hcait,  that  knew 


(     30     ) 

No  niggard  boundaries  of  love,  and  thought 

For  the  deceasM  enough  could  ne'er  be  wrought. 

Methinks  an  emblemed  picture  it  holds  forth 

Of  lov'd  Sophronias  elegance  and  worth. 

Does  the  fair  colour  with  tlie  beauty  vie. 

Or  faintly  tell  her  whitc-rob'd  purity  ? 

Her  good  and  amiable  manners  were 

Smooth  asr  thefe  ftones,  poliih'd  with   fo  much  care 

The  whole  adorned  gracefully,  not  plain. 

Not  proudly  pompous,  of  fordidly  mean: 

Like  her  unfeigned  goodnefs  it  appears, 

Not  oflentatious,  but  which  endears. 

But  ah  !  too  foon  thofe  lovely  charms  have  faiPd  \ 

What  has  the  fparkling  of  the  eyes  awail'd ! 

The  beauty  of  thy  bridal  youth,  how  vain! 

Or  from  thy  noble  birth  what  didil  thou  Q^ain  ! 

Alas  1  too  weak  the  pollcilbr  to  fave 

From  favage  Death,  or  from  the  yawning  grave. 

Flow  inejffe(!:lual,  alas  !   does  now 

The  love  of  numerous  acquaintance  grow  ! 

Not  thy  tranfported  hufl^and^s  fondell  love. 

Not  thy  fair  fame,  as  fpotlefs  as  a  dove, 

Thy  life  could  lengthen,  or  Death's  ilroke  remove. 

Thelb  circumllanccs  on  my  mind  imprefs, 

I'he  beauty  which  thofe  tender  lines  exprefs  : 

•*  How  lovVl,  how  valu'd  once  avails  thee  not ; 

**  To  whom  related,  or  by  wliom  begot. 

**  A  heap  of  duft  alone  remains  of  tliee ; 

*•  'Tis  ail  ibon  art,  and  all  the  proud  ihall  be  !'' 

Yet  tho'  unable  to  divert  the  blow, 

True  faith  tli€  fling  of  death  can  overthrow. 

Do  not  thofe  lamps  luch  filent  truths  proclaim  ? 

And  the  l)iight  heart  that  blazes  like  a  Hame  ? 

The  palm<;  that  flourilh,  and  the  glittering  browil,. 

In  gilt,  well-imitated  marble  Ihcwn  ? 

Do  they  not  to  difcerning  eyes  declare. 

Her  conllant  faith,  her  icrvency  of  pray'r  ? 


(    3^     ) 

The  vid:ory  which  o'er  the  world  fhe  found. 

The  heavVily  wreath  with  which  Ihe  ihall  be  crownM  j 

Wherewith  the  Lord  her  goodnefs  will  repay, 

In  right 'ous  judgement  at  the  final  day  ? 

Happy  the  hufhand  w^as  in  fuch  a  mate. 

The  lliarer  of  his  bed  and  his  eftate  ! 

Their  inchnations  nicely  were  in  tune  ; 

Their  converfation  was  all  unifon. 

How  filken  was  the  yoke  to  fuch  a  pair  ? 

And  in  their  bands  what  blefTmgs  twifted  were  ? 

With  them  each  joy  in  mutual  increafe  grew. 

And  ev'ry  care  alleviation  knew. 

Nothing,  they  thought,  their  blifs  could  fo  improve. 

As  hopeful  children,  pledges  of  their  love. 

That  they  might  have  the  happinefs  to  fee 

Themfelves  increased  in  their  pofterity  ; 

Their  mingled  graces  in  their  offspring  find. 

And  feel  affection  of  the  warmefl  kind. 

''  Grant  us  this  gift,''  their  common  pray'rs  exprefs* 

**  We  afli  but  this  to  crown  our  happinefs.'* 

To  future  things  alas  !   how  blind  are  men  ! 

Unable  to  difccrn  what's  good,  and  when  ! 

With  an  impatient,  unbecoming  cry. 

Said  Rachel,  **  give  me  children,  or  I  die  !'* 

From  this,  a  difappointment  fhe  receiv'd, 

Great  as  the  blefhng  which  flie  thought  flie  crav'd^ 

Not  to  a  wifli  deny'd  fhe  dates  her  doom 

But  its  completion  marks  her  for  the  tomb. 

If  children  like  to  fiow'ry  chaplets  are. 

Which  for  their  parents  balmy  odours  bear, 

Whofe  beauties  bloom  with  ornamental  pride. 

And  fiied  refrefhing  fweets  on  e-v'ry  fide. 

Some  fell  misfortune,  or  relentlefs  Death, 

May  twine  itfclf  amidlf  the  lovely  wreath. 

When  e'er  our  fouls  are  pour'd  out  with  defirc. 

Something  of  fmall  importance  to  acquire  ; 


(     3^-    ) 

The  words  of  our  blefs'd  Lord  we  truly  majr, 

'*  Ye  know  not  what  ye  a(k/'  to  ourfelves  fay^ 

Doth  CyWrejed:  our  w; flies  ?  he  denies 

In  mercy  that  from  which  our  woes  arife; 

And,  from  a  principle  of  kindefl:  love, 

Refufes  that  which  would  our  ruin  prove. 

With  a  fick  appetite  we  ott  refrain 

Prom  what  is  good  and  languifh  for  our  banc; 

Where  fancy  dreams  of  fome  unmingled  fwect. 

The  bitteinefs  of  woe  we  often  meet  : 

May,  therefore,  no  deiires  imm.oderate. 

Bend  us  to  this  or  that  terreflrial  itate. 

But  our  condition  wholly  to  refer 

To  God  omnipotent,  who  cannot  err  ! 

IN"  ay  we  learn  wifJom,  and  be  ready  ftill 

To  facrifice  our  wiihes  to  God*s  will ; 

And  with  fubmifiive  thankfulnefs  fubmit 

To  be  difpos'd  of  as  he  fhall  think  fit! 

For  if,  indeed,  his  precepts  to  obey, 

Be  what  will,  certain  happinefs  convey ; 

So,  refignation  to  his  will,  fecures 

That  blifs,  which  to  eternity  endures. 

Here,  on  the  ground  a  fmall  plam  ftonc  is  plac'd. 
Which  with  no  beautifying  fculpture's  grac'd  ; 
But  from  a  frugal  fund,  one  would  fuppofe, 
Purchased  it  was,  and  under  it  arofe. 
No  coftly  ornament  is  on  it  found. 
Nor  is  it  with  one  decoration  crown'd  ; 
A  very  fliort  infcription*s  on  it  made. 
So  much  effacVl,  that  it  can  fcarcc  be  read. 
Did  the  dcpofuary,  void  of  faith. 
Omit  its  duty  to  the  cor})fe  beneath? 
Or  were  the  letters  thus  effaced  by 
Th'  approach  of  the  iurviving  fmiily. 
Which,  at  the  tomb,  met  mourning,  to  revive 
The  mem  Vy  of  a  good,  lov'd  relative  J 


(    33    ) 

For  on  more  clofe  inrpe(5lion,  I  perceive 

The  body  of  a  father's  in  the  grave. 

A  worthy  and  religious  father,  who 

His  children  left,  ere  they  to  manhood  grew ) 

Ere  they  had  worldly  fettlements  procured  ; 

Or  with  found  principles  their  fouls  fecur'd. 

Of  all  confiderations  hitherto. 
This,  fure,  is  the  moft  pitiable  woe. 
The  fadnefs  of  fuch  dying  chambers  leaves 
Scenes  the  moft  melting,  that  the  mind  receives* 
There  a  fond  fpoufe  and  tender  parent  end, 
A  gen'rous  maiter,  and  a  faithful  friend. 
He  yields  there  to  the  laft  extremities. 
And  on  the  point  of  diflblution  lies. 
All  art  can  do,  already  has  been  try'd. 
But  the  difeafe  has  medicine  defv^d: 
It  haftes,  impetuous,  in  the  purfuit,  ,; 

Its  horrible  commands  to  execute  ; 
The  filver  cord  of  life  to  tear  amain, 
And  rend  the  tie  of  mutual  love  in  twain. 
One  or  two  fervants  at  a  diftance  ftay, 
Cafting  a  train  of  wifliful  looks  this  way  i 
And  as  v/ith  grief  their  fwellingbofoms  rife. 
Condole  their  mafter  in  a  flow  of  fighs. 
The  gracious  way  wherein  he  us'd  togive 
His  orders,  which  with  joy  they  did  receive ; 
Docs  to  their  minds  his  former  worth  recall, 
While  down  their  honeft  cheeks  the  tears  let  fall. 
His  friends, vv^hofe  pleafing  converfe,  once  could  cheer> 
But  miferable  helpers  now  appear. 
A  fympathifing  pity's  all  they  now 
Can  to  relieve  or  fuccoyr  him  beftow  ; 
Unlefs  it  be  raised  and  augmented  more 
By  lilent  pray'rs,  in  Vv^hich  they  God  implore. 
Or  pious  words  of  confolation  yield. 
From  proper  texts,  with  which  the  icripture's  fiird. 


(     34     ) 

His  poor  and  helplefs  children  flock  around, 

Frantic  with  grief,  and  in  tears  ahiioil:  drown'd, 

Their  httle  fouls,  they  fob  out,  and  complain, 

And  paflionately  cry,  but  cry  in  vain; 

Will  he  then  leave  us,  our  weak  Hate  to  mourn  ? 

And  mull  we  on  a  wicked  world  be  thrown  ? 

Thefe  parted  torrents  altogether  join. 

And  'gainfl  the  w  retched  fpoufe  their  force  combine  ; 

With  complicated  woes  ihe  is  opprefs'd, 

While  tides  of  forrovv  overwhelm  herbreafl. 

Sunk  in  extreme  diftrefs,  in  her  by  turns 

The  wife,  the  mother,  and  the  lover  mourns. 

By  her  his  death  is  much  feverer  found 

Who  had  in  Jong-endearing  bands  been  bound. 

Alas  !   where  can  flie  find  fuch  excellence  ? 

Where  place  ilich  unreferved  confidence  ? 

Can  file  a  counfellor  gain  fo  difcreet  ? 

Where  an  example  fo  improving  meet  ? 

Where  find  a  guardian,  w^ho  fuch  pains    would  take, 

Merely  for  her,  and  for  her  children's  fake  ? 

Behold  !   how  o'er  the  languid  bed  flie  hangs  ; 

Rack'd  with  a  fad  variety  of  pangs, 

Moft  tenderly  folicitous  to  eafe 

The  pains,  which  on  her  dearefi:  help-mate  feizc  ! 

Andif 'tucrc  poffible,  from  death  to  fiiield, 

A  life  for  which  her  own  flie'd  gladly  yield. 

A  life  for  which  flie  folely  wifii'd  to  live, 

Whixrh  only  to  her  oflFspring  blifs  could  give. 

^ee  her  hands  fiiakc  with  apprchenfive  pain, 

And  from  the  livid  cheek  the  cold  dews  clean; 

On  her  kind  arms  fometimes  compofc  to  rcfi:  "] 

The  finking  head,  which  racking  ills  opprefs'd,       V 

Or  lay  it  on  her  pity-feeling  breafi-.  J 

Behold  her  heart  with  fpeechlefs  ardor  rent, 

While  on  the  meagre  form  her  eyes  are  bent ; 

While  her  foft  paifions  with  vail  fondnefs  beat. 

And  her  foul's  picrc'd  with  griefs  extremely  great. 


(     35     ) 

The  fick  man  patient  and  adoring  ftill, 

Yields,  and  reiigns  him  to  the  heav'nly  will; 

And  by  fubmifiive  pi^tj  obtains, 

An  healing  balm  for  his  afflidive  pains. 

He's  fenfibly  affeded  with  the  ftate 

Of  his  attendants  fo  difconfolate  ; 

And  pierced  with  anxious  trouble  for  his  wife» 

Who  foon  muft  lead  a  lonely  widow'd  life ; 

And  for  the  children  who,  when  fatherlefs. 

Will  be  exposed  to  multiply \i  diftrefs. 

Yet  tho'  '*  caft  down,  not  in  defpair/*  for  fail 

His  truft  remains,  God's  word  (hall  ever  laft. 

His  comforters  he  comforts,  when  at  eafe. 

And  death  w4th  maj efty  of  w^oe  obeys. 

The  foul,  jull  going  to  forfake  the  corfe. 

Makes  her  laft  effort,  and  colled:s  her  force, 

Himfelf  he  raifes  on  the  pillow,  and 

To  his  fad  fervants  flretches  a  kind  hand  ; 

He  to  his  friends  his  mournful  farewell  fpeaks. 

And  in  his  feeble  arms  his  dear  wife  t^kes  ; 

Kiffes  the  pledges  of  their  love  with  grief, 

Then  thus  pours  out  the  fmall  remains  of  life: 

**  I  die  my  children  dear,  you  I  muft  leave, 

**  But  you  the  everlafting  God  will  fave. 

**  Altho'  in  me  an  earthly  p-arent  fall, 

*'  In  heav'n  you  have  one  who  is  all  in  alL 

*'  An  unbelieving  and  a  wicked  heart,  "| 

**  Can  only  make  you  his  joys  depart,  )^ 

'^  Or  you  from  his  endearing  love  divert.*^  ^ 

His  heart  w^as  full,  he  could  no  farther  go; 

His  utterance  fail'd  him,  quite  opprefs'd  with  w^oe. 

After  a  breathing  fhort,  but  with  great  pain. 

Prompted  by  zealous  love,  he  thus  began: 

*'  On  you,  dear  of  my  foul,  on  you, 

**  Falls  the  fole  care  of  our  poor  orphans  now. 

**  *Tis  true,  I  leave  you  under  grief  weighed  down^ 

**  But  Gc^^ftill  makes  the  widow.'a  caufe  bia  owo-i.. 


(     36    ) 

««  Gody  who  in  fairhfulnefs  and  truth  doth  Ipeak, 

«'  Hath  laid,  I  ne'er  will  leave  you  nor  forfake. 

*'  From  this  my  drooping  fpirits  ftrength  receive; 

*'  Let  alfo  this  my  bolom's  wife  relieve. 

<*  O  father  of  compaflion,  now  I  yield 

'*  Into  thy  hands  my  foul,  with  comfort  fiUM  ; 

**  Encourag'd  by  thy  promisM  tendernefs, 

**  Under  thy  care  I  leave  my  fatherlefs " 

He  fainting  fell,  when  he  thefe  words  had  faid. 

And  lay  fome  minutes  fenfelefs  on  the  bed. 

A  taper  thus,  ere  'tis  extinguiih'd  quite. 

Oft  blazes  quick,  and  gives  a  quivering  light  : 

So  life,  ere  'twas  forever  finiih'd,  gave 

A  parting  ftruggle,  willing  to  receive 

Once  more  the  joy,  his  eyes  were  wont  to  leave. 

He  fain  would  fpeak,  defirous  to  reveal 

The  tender  thoughts,  v^hich  in  his  mindprevail. 

He  more  than  once  efiayed,  but  alas  1 

Th  '  organ  of  fpeech,  like  a  crackM  veflel  was  : 

When  he  attempted  any  words  to  frame. 

They  all  were  ftopp'd  by  the  obftruding  phlegm  ; 

His  afped:  though  in  ev'ry  air  and  look, 

Affedtion,  inexprcHiblc,  befpokc. 

The  father  all,  and  hufl^and  in  his  eye, 

With  ftedfaft  view  once  more  he  does  efpy, 

And  gaze  with  ardor  on  his  children  dear, 

Whom  he  oft  fiiw  with  a  paternal  care : 

On  iliat  lov'd  wife  then  turns  his  dying  fight. 

Whom  he  ne*erviewM  but  with  fupreme  delight  : 

Fix'd  in  this  pofturc,  amidit  fmiles  which  pleas'd. 

And  gleams  of  heav'n,  his  lafl,  fond  look,  he  gaz'd. 

On  this,  their  filent  grief  no  (loppngc  knows. 

But  ^ulhcs  in  a  rapid  tide  of  woes.  v 

They  wept,  nor  any  comfort  would  receive* 

'Till  time  a  vent  to  their  afflictions  gave ; 

And  'till  religion*s  confolations  ilay\l 

The  wounds  vvhich  their  cxccfs  of  forrow  made. 


(     37    ) 

Then  the  fad  family  fearch  for,  and  dwell 

On  the  unfinifh'd  fentences,  which  fell 

From  the  good  lips  of  him,  they  lov'd  fo  well. 

In  Jeremiah's  prophecy  they  find 

This  healing  balfam  for  a  wounded  mind  ; 

They  guides  to  boundlefs  wifdom  take  from  thence. 

And  promifes   of  vail:  beneficence: 

**  Thy  children  fatherlefs  leave  to  my  care  ; 

*'  Them  Til  preferve;  nor  let  your  widows  fear/' 

Thofe  grac'cus  promifes  do  now  impart 

Joy  to  their  lives,  and  comfort  to  each  heart* 

They  treafure  it  up  in  the  memory, 

As  a  moil  rich  and  ufeful  legacy. 

Upon  it  they  rely,  and  on  it  build 

Their  hopes  of  having  ev'ry  wifh  fulfiird  ; 

That  all  their  honefc  works,  crown'd  with  fuccefs. 

Shall  flill  enfure  unfading  happinefs. 

The  facred  pledges  of  God's  favour  leave 

The  greatell  wealth  felicity  can  give. 

They  lack  no  good  !  nor  evil  apprehend. 

Since  God's  their  guide;  their  guardian,  and  theirfriend. 

Soon  as  my  own  rnxmicnto  is  away. 

And  the  memorial  of  fome  one's  decay; 

Sad  monitors,  fucceflive,  come  to  light. 

In  gloomy  order,  crowding  on  my  fight. 

That  which  my  obfervation  fixes  now. 

Bears  than  the  former  a  more  fable  brow. 

As  I  conclude  it  underneath  contains, 

Of  fome  mxore  aged  perfon,  the  remains. 

One  would  fuppofe   that  he  his  ftation  grac'd, 

Asj  his  among  the  grandeft  tombs  is  plac'd. 

Let  me  approach,  and  on  the  ftone  perceive 

*'  Who,  or  what  objed:,  flumbers  in  the  grave/* 

Th'  infcriptions  on  this  monument  relate. 

He  once  was  owner  of  a  large  eftate. 

Which  by  attention,  care,  and  induflry. 

He  faw  augmented  in  a  great  degree  j 


(     35     ) 

And  that  he  in  hfe's  hufy  period, dy'd, 

Somewhat  advanced  beyond  his  noon-day  pride. 

Then,  probably »  reply 'd  my  muling  mind. 

One  of  thofe  ceafelefs  drudges,  that  we  find 

At  day-break  rife,  at  midnight  go  to  rell, 

And  eat  their  bread,  with  caiefulnefs  opprefs'd  : 

Not  to  fecure  the  kindnefs  of  the  Lordy 

Nor  for  their  wants  provifion  to  afibrd  ; 

But  only  heaps  of  riches  to  enjoy, 

Ten  thoufand   times  more  than  they  can   defrroy. 

Did  he  not  fchemes  for  getting  money  frame  ; 

And  ftrive  to  raife  his  family's  proud  name? 

Houfes  to  houfes  join,  and  field  to  field, 

Until  his  wilhcs,  to  his  wxalth  fliould  wield  ; 

That  then  he'd  fit  in  quiet,  and  partake 

Of  things  which  kept  his  fenl'cs  iiill  awake ; 

Take  fom.e  Ihort  refpite  from  terreftrial  toil, 

And  think,  perhaps,  on  endlefs  things  awhile  ? 

But  here  behold  the  grofs  abfurciity 

Of  worldly  w^ifdom  and  fagacity  ! 

How  fhallow,  childiih,  filly,  the  pretence, 

To  that  which  we  call  mafierly  prudence  ! 

When  it  on  //Wbefiows  more  anx'ous  cares> 

That  when  it  for  tr/tv /;//v  prepares  ! 

How  much  infatuated,  then,  are  they 

Who  fubtly  fchcme  out  mcafurcs  lor  a  day  ; 

Who  to  chimeras  carefully  attend,  "^ 

On  fleeting  fliadows  walle  their  time,  nor  fpcnd      V 

A  thought  on  certainties  that  ne'er  will  end  !  l 

When  cv'ry  wheel  moves  Imoolhly  on,  and  all 

The  fit  dcfigns  for  execution  call  ; 

When  long^cxpeded  happinefs  appears 

At  hand,  and  all  our  fondeft  wilhcs  cheers  ; 

Behold  !   the  Loi\l  Almighty  laughs  on  high. 

At  the  weak  BaheUbuildcr^  vanity. 

The  labor'd  bubbles,  touch'd  by  death,  decay. 

And  into  empty  air  diflblvc  away. 


(     39    ) 

The  cobweb,  fpun  moft  fine  and  gay,  indeed^ 

Is  bi-oke  and  fwept  away  with  rapid  fpeed; 

All  the  defigns  abortive  are  fupprefs'd. 

And  in  the  grave  with  their  projector  reft. 

So  true  the  verdid.s  of  the  Lord  become. 

Which  feal  thefe  lucky  wretches'  lafting  doom  : 

'*  Behold  how  they  on  flitting  fhadows  lean, 

**  And  trouble  and  perplex  themlelves  in  vain/"* 

Ye  that  attended  fuch  a  one  at  death. 

And  heard  the  fentiments  of  his  iaft  breath  ; 

Speak,  I  befeech  you,  fay,  did  he  not  cry 

In  the  words  of  crofs'd  fenfuality  ; 

^^  O  death  !  how  dreadful  thy  a:>proach  appears, 

**  To  one  irnmersM  in  fecular  afl^iirs  ! 

**  Who  with  purfuit  of  prefent  pleafures  fraught^ 

**  Of  hereafter  unceafin 2:  never  thourdit  ! 

^'  Mow  am  I  comforted,  what  have  1  gain'd, 

*'  Or  what  great  depth  of  knowledge  is  contained 

*^  In  being  dexterous  in  concerns  below, 

*'  When  I  eternal happinefs  forego? 

*'  Miftake  moft  wretched!  oh  deftrucftive  choice] 

"  I  too  much  pains  employed  on  worldly  joys  ; 

*'  To  fleeting  toys  I  was  too  much  confined, 

**  But  oh  !   I  then  caft  Heav'n  from  my  mind  ! 

*'  I  forgot  endlefs  ages !   that  my  days — " 

Here  he  was  going  fomevain  hope  to  feize; 

To  breathe  fome  wifli ;  of  fome  void  comfort  dream. 

Or  ineffedual  refolution  frame ; 

But  fudden  tremblings  fliook  his  nerves ;  ftraighKvay 

His  frame  diflblved  into  lifelefs  clay. 

May  an  unhappy  brother's  dying  word 

To  this  world's  children  due  advice  aflx)rd  ! 

May  they  from  their  deep  lethargy  awake. 

And  benefit  from  his  misfortune  take! 

Why  fhould  they  with  impatient  warmth  complain^ 

When  they  fome  white  and  yellow  earth  can't  gain,  y 

As  if  the  w^prld  did  not  enough  contain  ?  J 


(     4^     ) 

Why  with  thick  clay  fhoiild  they  themfelves  prefg 

down, 
When  **  they're  to  run  for  an  immortal  crown  ?" 
Why  fliould  this  world,  feempleafant  to  their  eyes. 
When  they  iliould  *prefs  to  their  high  calling's  prize  ?^ 
Why  fhoiild  they,  then,  that  veffel  overload 
In  which  their  everJafting  all  is  ftow'd  ? 
Or  fiiperfluities,  why  fhould  they  crave 
When  they  miift  fwim,- their  lives  alone  to  fave  ? 
Ye'i  ih  prepofl'rous  is  the  life  of  thofe, 
Who  their  chief  blifs  on  affluence  repofe; 
\^'iiO,  full  of  indufiry,  time's  trifles  hoard, 
Yet  fcarce  wifli  for  the  riches  of  the  Lord. 
O  '   may  we  walk  thro'  thofc  toy's  ghtt'ring  train^ 
With  wife  indiff'ience,  if  not  with  difdain  ! 
May  we  fuperior  to^  fuch  baubles  rife. 
And  caft  them  henceforth  from  our  w^ond'ring  eyes ! 
Having  conveniences  enough  for  life, 
For  worldly  trcafurc  let  us  wage  no  ftrife. 
Let  us  accommodate  ourfclves  below, 
And  let  from  heav'n  our  greateft  bleffings  flow; 
Whereas,  if  we  indulge  an  anx'ous  care, 
Or  lavilh  hopes  on  tranfitory  ware, 
So  firm  an  union  tlicy'U  in  us  create 
That  keeneft  pangs  the  parting  ftroke  await. 
By  fuch  a  warm  attachment  to  the  joy. 
Which  will  be  ravifli'dfrom  us  certainly: 
Woe  'gainft  the  agonizing  hour  we'll  gain, 
And  plant,  aforehand,  our  death's  couch  with  pain-. 
Some  got  tofeventy  years,  as  I  perceive. 
Before  they  took  their  lodgings  in  the  grave; 
Some  few  refigned  not  their  breath  before 
They  of  revolving  harvcfis  faw  fourfcorc. 
Thefe  I  would  hope,  by  rev'rend  duty  fway'd, 
**  In  youth  due  homage  to  their  (j^^have  paid  ;" 
Ere  their  ftrcngth  did  to  toil  and  Ibrrow  turn, 
lire  nature  languifliing  began  to  mourn ; 


(     41     ) 

When  keepers  of  the  houfe  tremble  thro'  fear,  . 
And  lookers  at  the  window  darkened  are : 
When  e'en  the  little  grafhopper's  fmall  weight. 
To  bending  fhoulders  feenis  a  burden  great; 
And  in  lethargic,  lifllefs  fouls,  defire 
Raifes  a  faint,  and  quickly  fleeting  fire  ; 
Before  thofe  tirTome  hours  approach  us  nigh ; 
Before  thofe  heavy  moments  clofer  fly  ; 
In  which  there's  too  much  reafon  to  complain, 
*'  No  pleafure  nor  improvement  they  contain." 
If  then,  their  lamps  were  deflitute  of  oil. 
And  they  exposM  to  Satan's  fnares  meanwhile  ; 
In  fuch  decrepit  circum fiances,  fyre. 
At  market  they're  unfit  fome  to  procure. 
For  befides  great  varieties  of  woe. 
Which  from  enfeebled  conflitutions  flow; 
All  their  corruptions  muit  have  gained  great  force. 
By  irreligion's  unchecked,  lengthened  courfe. 
Ill  habits  muft  the  deepeft  roots  ftill  find. 
And  twiftthem  with  each  fibre  of  the  mind; 
They  muft  be  all  as  thoroughly  ingrain'd. 
In  their  aff*ed:ions,  as  the  foot  which  ftain'd 
Th'  Ethiop's  vifage  of  a  dufky  hue ; 
Or  fpots  which  in  the  leopard's  flcin  we  view. 
If  one  who  under  fuch  misfortunes  lies. 
Should  above  each  oppofing  hardfliip  rife ; 
And  fpite  of  all  to  glory  onwards  flee. 
It  muft  indeed  a  great  falvation  be. 
If  fuch  a  one,  thro*  all  temptations  pafs'd. 
Free  from  deftrudlion  fhould  efcape  at  laft, 
It  muft  be  as  if  he  thro'  fire  was  caft. 
This  is  the  feafon  that  does  comfort  afk. 
And  is  improper  to  begin  the  talk. 
The  hufbandman,  fhould  now  his  hook  prepare, 
Or  of  the  fruit  of  his  hard  labour  Ihare ; 

F 


} 


(     42     j 

Not  now  begin  to  farrow  up  the  earth, 

Or  fcatter  feed  to  bring  forth  a  new  birth. 

*Tis  true,  God  brings  all  that  he  wills  to  pafs  ; 

^'  Let  there  be  light,  he  laid,  and  light  there  was';'' 

Light  inftantaneous,  as  quick  as  thought. 

Obedient  to  his  orders,  forth  was  brought. 

At  his  command  a  leprofy    mofi:  foul. 

Of  longeftllay,  is  infcantly  made  whole. 

He  is,  the  grcatnefs  of  his  ftrength  can  raifc 

Not  only  linncrs  that  are  dead  four  days ; 

But  at  his  word;  reftor'd  to  life,  appears, 

The  wretch  deceased  for  even  fourfcore  years. 

Yet  do  not  points  of  fuch  vaft  moment  try, 

Nor  trull  fo  dreadful  an  uncertainty. 

God  may  his  help  w^ithdraw,  his  powV  fufpend  : 

May  in  his  wrath  fv/ear  that  thofc  who  offend. 

And  to  abufe  his  tender  mercy  dare. 

Shall  *'  never  his  eternal  comforts  iliare.'' 

Ye  that  are  flrong  in  health,  in  bloom  of  days.. 

The  precious  opportunity  now  fcize. 

Improve  your  golden  hours,  be  wife  in  time, 

And  to  the  nobleft  purpofe  ftrive  to  climb  ; 

Tread  in  thofe  paths  which  may  fecui'e  your  right 

To  the  inheritance  of  fliints  in  light  : 

By  which  you  endlcfs  youth  may  call  your  own, 

And  gain  of  glory  an  immortal  crown. 

O  !  iiand  not  idle  all  the  prime  of  day, 

Nor  trifle  immcnfe,  offered blifs  away; 

But  hafle,  oh  !   hafte,  nor  ftill  inadive  flcep  ; 

Be  always  ready  God*s  commands  to  keep. 

Ev'n  while  in  gay  infcnfibility, 

LoitVing  in  fcnfelefs  cafe,  repos'd  you  lie ; 

Juft  in  that  moment  Deatli  his  bow  may  bend  ; 

And,  quick  as  thought,  his  killing  arrow  fend. 

Not  long  ago  a  thoughtlefs  jay  I  i'py'd. 

Its  pretty  feathers  drcfs  with  bufy  pride ; 


•(     43     ) 

Or,  hopping  carelcfsly  from  Tpray  to  fpray, 

Infenfible  that  danger  near  it  lay. 

Juft  then  a  Tportfrnan,  paiTmg  by,  beholds 

The  fcird  as  it  its  gaudy  plumes  unfolds  ; 

The  hollow  tube  he  raifes  inftantly. 

And  takes  his  aim  with  an  unerring  eye. 

Swifter  than  whirhvinds  flies  the  leaden  death. 

And  flraight  deprives  the  uliy  bird  of  breath. 

Such  may  the  fate  of  thofe  be  who  delay 

The  fair  occafion  to  get  grace  to-day  ; 

Who  wantonly  poOpone  their  happy  ftate, 

And  for  improvement  'till  to-morrow  wait. 

Death  in  their  foolifhnefs  may  them  furprize. 

While  they  dream  of  hereafter  being  wife. 

Some  came,  no  doubt,  to  this  their  lafl:  retreat^ 

With  length  of  days  and  piety  replete  ; 

*'  As  (hocks  of  corn  in  blooming  vigour  blow, 

*'  And,  fill'd  with  plenty,  ripe  in  harveflrgrow.'^ 

Thefe  were  the  children  of  true  light,  and  who 

God's  wifdom  inf  tlieir  generation  knew  ; 

Who  were  wife  in  what  fhould  them  moll  employ 

Wife  for  that  happinefs  they  now  enjoy. 

They  richer  and  more  honourable  were. 

Than  all  the  votaries  of  Mammon  are. 

Swift  w  ings  were  furniili'd  for  the  wealth  of  one^. 

Which  is  now  irrecoverably  gone  ; 

While  the  poor  gatherers  are  fent  away. 

Thro*  fields  of  v/ant  and  penury  to  ftray  ; 

Where  not  one  drop  of  water  they  can  gain. 

To  cool  their  tongue,  or  eafe  their  fcorching  pairi. 

Whereas,  the  others  always  are  fupply'd 

With  riches,  which  fliall  with  them  flill  abides 

Which  leave  them  not,  but  conftantly  afford 

Them  comfort  in  the  city  of  the  Lord. 

No  pow'r  created  could  their  wealth  overthrow'; 

Wealth  which  God  only  could  on  man,  bedon- ; 


(     44     ) 

And  fuch,  O  pleafing  thought !   may  I  attain  ! 

May  each,  longing  finner  luch  obtain! 

Riches,  which  ever-faving  faith  infure, 

Treafures  of  knowledge,  heavenly  and  pure  ;    * 

Riches,  which  blefs  us  by  atoning  blood. 

And  with  imputed  right'oufnefs  endu'd. 

Their  bodies  here  a  certain  quiet  fliare, 

And  lie  in  '*  habitations  free  from  care.'* 

Here  they  have  from  them  ev'ry  burden  caft. 

And  have  from  ev'ry  fnare  efcap'd  at  lalt. 

With  racking  pain  the  head  no  longer  aches ; 

Com.plaints  m  tears  the  eye  no  longer  makes  ; 

The  flcfh,  no  more,  with  pangs  acute  is  torn  ; 

Nor  longer  with  diftempcrs  lingering  worn. 

Here  from  their  hardfliips  they  get  a  releafe. 

And  here  forever  their  afflidions  ceafe. 

Here  lowering  danger  never  does  them  harm. 

Nor  threatens  them  with  any  hardi  alarm ; 

But  fweet  tranquility  makes  foft  their  beds. 

And  fafely  watches  their  repofmg  heads. 

Reft  then,  ye  precious  relics,  in  the  tomb. 

Reft  quiet  in  this  hofpitable gloom  ; 

'Till  the  laft  trumpet,  gives  the  welcome  found. 

And  wakes  you  fudden  from  your  fleep  profound; 

*'  Arifc,  fhinc  forth,  in  heav'niy  light  array'd, 

•*  On  you  the  glory  of  the  Lord's  difplay'd.'* 

To  thefe,  how  calmly  did  life's  evening  run  ! 

How  kindly  pleafant  was  their  fetting  fun  \ 

Then  when  their  flcfli  and  heart  failM  them  thro'  fear. 

How  did  the  mem'ry  of  the  Lord  them  cheer  ! 

Who,  to  preferve  them  from  the  fting  of  guilt. 

His  Ipotlefs  blood  in  fpccchlefs  mercy  fpilt  \ 

How  did  tlieir  Saviour  their  fouls  revive. 

For  their  juftification  now  alive  ! 

How  cheering  the  well-grounded  hope  of  grace. 

And  for  their  fins,  with  God  Almighty  peace. 


(     4.-     ) 

Thro'  Jefus  Chrift  our  Lord  !   this  will  affuage  '' 

Their  griefs,  and  fweeten  death's  tormenting  rage. 

Has  wealth  pull'd  all  her  golden  mountains  down  ? 

Where's  honour,  with  its  trophies  of  renown  ? 

Where  are  the  pomps  of  a  vain  world  fled  ? 

At  Death's  approach  can  they  their  comforts  fhed  ? 

Can  they  compofe  th'  affrighted  thoughts,  or  buoy 

The  foul  departing  in  its  agony  ? 

The  followers  of  Chrijl  feem  pleas Vi,  and  death 

Is  conquered,  even  with  their  latefl  breath. 

•*  They  on  God's  everlafting  arms  repofe,"' 

Vv^hiie  he  their  famting   heads  prcferves  from  v/oes. 

His  fpirit  to  their  iouls  does  peace  inftill, 

And  bends  the  conicience  to  his  holy  will. 

With  the  ftrength  of  chefe  heav'niy  fuccours  fiird^ 

They  conquerors,  not  captives,  quit  the  field  ; 

On  God's  moft  faithful  promdfc  they  rely. 

Fraught  with  full  hopes  of  immortality. 

Now  they  are  gone,  and  reft  in  quiet  peace. 

The  flruggles  of  reluftant  nature  ceafe. 

In  gloomy  death  the  bodies  lie  afleep; 

The  foul  is  launched  into  the  fightlefs  deep. 

But  fay,  who  can  imagine  the  furprize. 

Which  will  then  feize  on  their  delighted  eyes? 

When  on  them  an  angelic  crowd  attends, 

Inftead  of  companies  of  weeping  friends  ? 

O  how  fecurely  in  their  courfe  they  ride  ! 

Thro'  unknown  worlds,   how  fafely  do  they  glide  ! 

While  thefe  celeflial  guides  dired:  their  flight. 

The  vale  of  tears  is  lofl  in  endlefs  night. 

Farewell,  farewell  forever,  realms  of  w^oe  ! 

Farewell,  malignant  beings,  rage  below  ! 

They're  come  to  ftates  with  boundlefs  comforts  ftor^d  ; 

•*  Come  to  the  city  of  the  living  Lord  ;" 

While  a  voice  fweeter  than  the  fofteft  lyre, 

Sweet  as  the  feraphim's  harmonic  choir> 


(     46     ) 

Hails  their  arrival,  and  rejoicing  fings, 

And  Ipca-ks  their  entrance  to  the  King  of  Kings : 

**  Ye  everlafting  gates,  your  heads  now  rear, 

**  And  give  admillion  to  each  godly  heir." 

While  good  men's  bodies  fliimber  in  the  grave. 

Here  let  us  novv^  **  their  fouls  and  fplrits  icave  \* 

From  an  entangling  wildcrnefs  preferv'd, 

For  a  moft  plcafant  paradife  referv'd  ; 

Settled  in  realms  of  unmolefted  peace, 

Where  their  difauietudes  and  forrow  ceafe. 

They  lit  with  IJaaCy  'Jacob,  AbraLwyi, 

Jn  the  Lord's  kingdom,  with  the  holy  Lamb. 

Here,  with  innumerable  faints  they  ihine. 

And  round  God's  throne,  exalt  their  voice  divine 

Glad  in  fruition  of  their  j^efent  joy. 

On  certain  expectations  they  relv. 

That  they'll  be  blefs'dyet  inconceivably  ; 

**  When  God  the  heav'ns  and  earth  calls  from  above 

**  That  he  in  judgment  may  his  people  prove. 

**  Their  life,  fools  reckoned  madnefs,  fince  they  found 

**  Their  end  approaching  wirh  no  honours  crovvn'd  ; 

'*  But  they  are  rank'd  among  the  fons  ot  God, 

"  And  endlefs  blifs  fliare  in  the  faint's  abode.'' 

However,  then,  a  vain  world  may  defpife, 

Howe'cr  the  truly  good  it  villifies  ; 

Be  this  my  greatefl  and  fupreme  defire. 

The  utmoil  happinefs  I  can  acquire  ! 

'*  Let  me,  oh  !   let  me  meet  the  juft  man's  fiite ; 

**  Let  me  enjoy  his  death,  and  future  ftate." 

What  figure's  that  which  ftrikes  my  gazing  eye,. 
And  from  the  walls  Ihine  fo  conlpic'oully? 
It  does  not  only  eminently  grace 
A  grander,  and  more  elevated  place  ; 
But  fecms,  majeitically  proud  to  bear, 
A  more  than  ordinary  fplcndid  air. 
The  ilone,  the  inflrumcnts  of  llaughtcr  wears^ 
Swords,  muikcts,  cannons,  bay'ncts,  darts  and  fpcars^ 


(    47     ) 

Thefe,  with  each  other,  on  its  face  entwine. 

And  thence  with  formidable  grandeur  fhine* 

Let  me  fee  what  the  monument  contains, 

It  holds  a  noble  warrior's  remains. 

Wherefore  thought  I,  is  fuch  refpedt  now  paid 

To  this  heroic  foldier's  fleeting  fhade  ; 

'Caufe  he  the  public  good  fo  highly  priz'd, 

That  for  it  he  was  gladly  facnfic'd  ? 

What  endlefs  fame  is,  then,  by  him  procured. 

Who  for  our  fakes  fuch  agonies  endur'd  ' 

Who  tho'  commander  of  th'  angelic  bands, 

Altho'  he  all  the  heav'nly  hofts  commands ; 

Became  a  willing,  bleeding  facrifice. 

That  we  to  endlefs  happinefs  might  rife. 

His  life  from  one,  as  being  mortal,  flew, 

And  which  was  long  to  divine  ]uftice  due. 

Which  to  the  debt  of  nature  foon  would  yield. 

E'en  had  it  fall'n  not  in  the  bloody  field  ; 

But  Chrift  gave  up  the  ghoft,  and  flefh  became, 

Tho'he  Jebova/j  was,  the  great  I  AM, 

The  fountain  of  exiftence,  who  alone 

Calls  blifs.  and  immortality  his  own. 

He  who  fuppofed  it  no  fraud  to  call; 

Himfelf  an  equal  to  God  all  in  all ; 

Whofe  outgoings  from  everlafting  ran, 

Ev'n  he  w^as  made  in  likenefsof  a  man ; 

From  the  land  of  the  living  w^as  cut  off. 

And  to  vile  wretches  was  a  fneering  feoff. 

Wonder,  O  heav'ns  !   O  earth  aftoniflied  be  ! , 

That  CAn'/i  fhould  feel  fuch  dreadful  agony  ! 

He  dy'd  the  death,  of  whom  w^e  witnefs  have. 

He's  *'  the  true  God,  and  endlefs  life  can  give." 

The  one  to  willing  perils  was  exposed, 

When  he  his  king's  and  country's  foes  opposed ; 

Which,  tho'  it  beaming  glories  might  difplay,         "^ 

Yet  would  an  ignominious  mind  betray,  V 

In  fuch  good  circumftances  to  gainfay.  J 


(     48     ) 

But  Chrill:  the  blelTed,  grafpM  the  bloody  fword, 

Tho'  he  King  of  Kings  of  Lord  the  Lords. 

Chrill  Jefus,  the  fole  monarch,  took  the  field, 

Tho'  in  the  conflict  he  was  fure  to  yield  ; 

And  put  on  harnefs,  tho'  he  knew  before. 

It  mull:  be  flained  with  his  finlefs  gore. 

The  prince  of  heav'n  his  royal  felf  refign'd. 

Not  to  mere  hazard,  but  fure  death  to  find; 

To  death  now  certain  in  its  quicken'd  pace. 

With  horrors  burning  from  its  grifly  face. 

And  for  whom  did  he  thefe  dire  torments  bear  ? 

Not  for  thofe  who  at  all  deferving  were; 

But  difobedient  creatures  to  befriend, 

And  pardon  gain  for  criminals  condemned ; 

A  band  of  evil  rebels,  void  of  grace, 

An  incxcufable  and  wicked  race; 

Sinners  obnoxious,  whom  he  might  leave 

I'he  due  reward  of  their  crimes  to  receive. 

Without  impeachment  of  his  goodnefs ;  nay 

His  vengeful  juflice  better  to  difplay. 

The  one,  'tis  likely,  dy'd  without  much  pain. 

Was  wounded  fuddenly,  and  quickly  flain  : 

A  bullet  lodg'd  within  his  heart,  a  fword, 

Sheath'd  in  his  breaft,  might  inftant  death  afford  ; 

Or  a  ftrong  battle-ax  his  brain  might  cleave 

And  in  a  moment  give  him  to  the  grave. 

Whereas  our  Saviour,  divine  and  dear. 

Did  tedious  protraded  torments  bear, 

Which  were  as  lingering  as  they  were  fcverc. 

Ev'n  in  the  prelude  to  his  laft  diftrcls. 

What  loads  of  grief  his  facred  frame  opprefs'd  ! 

The  mighty  prcffurc  ;  cxquilitely  fore, 

Inllead  of  fwcat,  drew  blood  from  ev'ry  pore  ; 

The  crimfon  gore  fo  from  his  body  rain'd. 

It  tingM  the  pavement,  and  his  raiment  ftain'd. 

But  at  the  lait  fcenc  of  the  tragedy, 

Oh  !   wlKit  a  mouruful  fight  might  one  cfpy  ! 


(    49    ) 

When  io  the  crofs  the  miniflcr  of  woes, 
Had  naird  his  body  with  his  piercing  blows  % 
Oh !  for  how  many  difmal  hours  of  pain  "^ 

Did  that  illuftr'ous  fufF^rer  remain,  y 

In  fight  of  God,  of  angels,  and  of  men  !  J 

His  temples  with  the  thorny  crown  in  fears. 
His  hands  and  feet  cleft  by  the  iron  bars. 
His  flefli  all  coverM  with  fevereft  fmart. 
Trembling  and  agonizing  in  each  part ; 
And  torments  of  unfpeakable  diftrefs, 
On  his  bJefs'd  foul,  his  very  foul  did  prefs  ! 
So  long  he  hung,  in  fympathifing  tone. 
Nature  for  him  thro'  all  her  realms  riiade  mo^n. 
The  earth,  fuch  barbarous  itidignitieS 
Beheld  amaz'd,  and  trembled  with  furprize. 
The  fun  when  thefe  black  acflions  came  in  view% 
Shudder 'd  with  horror,  and  its  beams  withdrew. 
Nay,  fo  long  did  this  fufferer  fuftain 
The  laii  extremity  of  bitter  pain; 
That  quick  as  thought  the  alarm  of  it  fled 
To  the  dark  regions  of  the  diflant  dead. 
Still  O  my  foul  with  this  vaft  truth  be  fillM, 
The  lamb  of  God  was  feiz'd,  was  bound,  was  killM  ; 
Slaughtered  with  greateft  inhumanity. 
And  fuffer'd  agonizing  death  for  thee  ! 
His  executioners  fo  ftudious  were, 
Their  cruel  means  of  torture  to  prepare; 
That  ere  its  fatal  dregs  he  had  drank  up. 
Each  drop  of  gall  he  tafted  in  the  cup. 
Once  more ;  the  one  did  like  a  hero  die. 
And  fell  in  battle,  fighting  gallantly. 
But  went  not  Jefus  as  a  fool  to  reft  ? 
Not  mark'd  with  fears  of  glory  on  his  breaft  ; 
But  as  fome  wicked  villain  on  the  rack. 
With  lafhes  of  the  vile  fcourge  on  his  back, 

G 


I  50   ) 

Yes,  Cbrift  the  blcffed,  bow*d,  ere  he  was  dead 

On  the  accurfed  tree,  his  fainting  head; 

And  the  beneficent  Redeemer  dy'd. 

Between  two  wicked  fellows  crucify *d  ; 

Chrift  was  'twixt  heav'n  and  earth  fufpendcd  high, 

Outcaft  from  both,  and  wb.om  each  did  deny. 

What  fuitable  returns  of  ardent  love. 

Can  we  make  to  the  holy  one  above  ? 

What  worthy  thanks  can  he  from  us  receive. 

Who  dyM  for  us,  that  we  thro*  him  might  Uve  ? 

He  did  in  ignominious  anguilh  die, 

That  we  might  flourilh  in  the  heights  of  joy  ; 

And  plac'd  on  thrones  of  cndlefs  glory,  raile 

To  our  Redeemer  fervent  fongs  of  praife. 

Alas  !   we  impotent  and  fenfelefs  clay,  • 

Cannot  to  Chrift  fuflicient  duty  pay. 

He  only  who  does  fuch  rich  gifts  beftow^ 

With  grateful  warmth  can  make  our  bofoms  glow. 

Then  let,  moft  gracious  hn7na?iiicly 

Thy  tomb  of  gratitude  in  our  fouls  dwell. 

Infcribe  the  memVy  of  thy  matchlefs  grace. 

Not  in  thofcchiJtaclers  we  can  erafe  : 

But  in  that  precious  and  heav'nly  blood, 

Which  from   your  veins  in  gufliing  torrents  flowM. 

With  neither  ax  nor  chifTel  it  prepare. 

But  with  that  fpcar  which  your  blefsM  fide  did  tear. 

Let  it  in  clKiradlers  confpic'ous  ftand. 

Indelible  not  made  by  mortal  hand  \ 

On  marble  tables  do  not  it  imprefs. 

But  fix  it  on  our  inmoll:  heart's  recefs. 

Let  me  obfcrve  one  thing  more  ere  I  leave 

This  cntomb*d  hero,  and  his  garnilh'd  grave. 

Thefe  methods  oficntatioiis,  how  mean, 

Wliich  ilrivc  to  bribe  the  votes  of  fame,  and  gain 

Some  little  flock  of  pollhumous  renown, 

'J'o  future  times  tluis  proudly  handed  down  I 


(     5'-     ) 

How  poorly,  polifh'd  alabafter  fhews 

The  great  advantage  that  from  virtue  flows  F 

Or  how  does  mimicry  of  fculptur'd  ftone 

Exprefs  the  memorable  deeds  we've  done  ! 

His  countrymen  think  with  affefting  grief. 

On  the  great  merit  of  this  bleeding  chief. 

His  patriotic  zeal,  in  honour *s  caufe. 

Would  be  remember'd  with  the  beft  applaufc. 

Long  as  the  nation  is  with  -fafety  crown'd, 

Without  fuch  artful  means  to  fpread  the  found. 

Such  are  the  methods  by  which  I  would  ftrive 

To  keep  my  certain  memory  alive. 

Let  fuch  memorials  be,  then,  imprefs'd 

Deep  on  each  of  my  fellow-creature's  breaft. 

Let  my  furviving  friends  a  witnefs  bear, 

That  for  myfelf  alone  I  did  not  care ; 

Nor  wholly  in  my  generation  live, 

Without  attempts  fome  benefits  to  give. 

O!  let  a  long,  uninterrupted  line 

Of  tender  deeds,  on  my  infcription  fhine  ; 

And  let  my  wifhes  for  the  happy  ftate 

Of  all  my  friends,  be  fliewn  upon  the  plate. 

Let  all  the  poor,  as  by  my  grave  they  prefs. 

Point  at  the  fpot,  and  thankfully  confefs, 

*'  There  lies  the  man,  who  to  each  varied  griefj,, 

**  With  ceafelefs  tendernefs  ftill  gave  relief; 

''  Who  kindly  vifited  my  painful  bed, 

'*  And  me  in  poverty  with  plenty  fed. 

'*  How  oft  did  his  inflruftions  guide  me  right> 

*'  And  to  my  call-down  fpirits  yield  delight  I 

^*  *Tis  owing  to  the  feafonable  flore 

**  With  which  God  blefs'd  him  to  relieve  the  poor< 

*'  And  the  wife  counfels  which  he  us'd  to  give 

'*  That  I  exift,  and  now  in  comfort  live,'' 

Let  a  man  who  once  trod  ungodly  ways^ 

Once  ignorant,  his  eyes  to  heaveu  raife; 


(      52      ) 

Let  fuch  a  one  within  his  bofom  talk. 

As  o'er  my  grave  he  takes  his  penfive  walk  : 

**  Here  he  therehcs  of  that  friend  iincere, 

^'  Who  for  my  foul  had  fuch  paternal  care. 

*'  1*11  ne'er  forget  how  heedlefs  and  how  gay, 

*'  I  ported  onward  in  perdition's  way  ; 

*'  I  tremble  when  I  think  what  endlefs  woe 

**  Would  very  foon  my  wretched  foul  overflow  ; 

**  Had  not  his  admonitions,  always  right, 

*'  Mark'd  out  the  way  andflay'd  my  thoughtlefs  flight. 

**^  I  of  the  holy  gofpel  nothing  knew, 

''  Nor  had  I  its  abundant  w^-^alth  in  view; 

**  But  iince  his  prudent  converfe  guided  me, 

*'  The  ail-fufficiency  of  Chrift  I  fee, 

*'  And,  animated  by  his  conftant  prayV 

<*  rd  all  things  lofe,  that  I  might  Jefus  fiiare, 

**  Methinks,  his  fpeeches,  with  religion  fili'd 

**  In  my  ears  tingle,  and  found  comfort  yield 

**  Metbinks  his  godly  precepts  yet  impart 

**  Joy  to  my  foul,  and  tranfport  to  my  heart. 

*'  And  will  I  truftyet  more  and  more  encreafe, 

*'  In  Ihedding  on  my  operative  grace  ; 

*MJntil  we  meet  in  manfions  not  prepared 

**  By  men  ;  eternal,  in  the  heavens  rear'd." 

But  the  infallible  and  furel!:  way, 

Foundations  for  our  endlefs  good  to  lay  ; 

Which  is  as  open  to  the  rich  as  poor. 

To  make  our  calling  and  elcftion  furc  ; 

Is  to  gain  godly  evidence  that  wc 

Have  our  names  blcfs'd  to  all  eternity. 

However  they  may  be  forgotten,  then. 

Or  difrcgarded  by  the  fons  of  men  ; 

They  will  not  fail,  for  ever  to  allbrd, 

Remembrance  in  the  prefcncc  of  the  Lord. 

This  is  of  all  diltindtions  far  the  beil: ; 

This  will  with  never-dying  fame  be  blefsVk 


(    53     ) 

Ambition,  do  thou  then,  this  objedl  claim 

And  holy  writ  will  fanflify  thy  aim ; 

Ev*n  grace  itfelf  will  fan  the  noble  flame. 

Memorials  on  earth  mufl  Ihortly  ceafe 

And  in  oblivion  fink,  in  quiet  peace. 

Thofe  for  w^hom  we  the  greateft  zeal  exprefs'd^ 

Soon  mufl:  in  filence  in  the  coffin  reft. 

Ev'n  letters  cut  into  the  folid  ftone 

With  iron  pens,  muft  foon  become  unknown. 

But  thofe  who  in  the  book  of  life  inrolFd, 

Have  ranked  their  names  in  the  Meiliah's  fold  j^ 

The  bleffed  Lamb  has  openly  declared. 

That  blifs  unfading  fhall  by  them  be  fhar'd. 

When  a  flight  of  revolving  years  (liall  lay 

Majeftic  columns  level  with  the  clay  ; 

When  brazen  ftatues  can  no  longer  ftand. 

Under  deftruclive  timers  corroding  hand; 

Still  incorruptible  thefe  "honours  rife, 

And  bicom  triumphant  in  the  fplendid  ikies, 

Lo  I  yonder  entrance  leads,  as  I  uippofe. 

To  the  vault  wherv-:  the  filent  deep  repofe. 

Let  me  now  turn  a  fide,  and  take  one  peep 

At  thofe  who  in  this  habitation  fleep. 

The  dooronrufty  hinges  flow  turns  round. 

And  grates  the  ear  with  harfli  difcordant  founds 

As  it  not  many  vifitants  enjoys, 

It  gives  me  entrance  with  rcludiant  noife. 

What  can  this  fudden  trembling  mean,  while  I 

Pafs  thro'  the  place  where  lifelefs  bodies  lie  ? 

In  thefe  ftill  rooms  my  fpirits,  nothing  fear. 

For  *'  ev'n  the  wicked  ceafe  from  troubling  here.'' 

Good  heav'ns  1  how  difmal  is  this  folemn  fcene  ! 

Here,  ev'n  at  noon-day,  night  and  darknefs  reign. 

What  doleful,  gloomy  folitude  it  wears  ! 

Not  one  fmall  trace  of  cheerful  joy  appears; 

Sorrows  and  terror  feem  here  to  have  made. 

An  habitation  for  their  hateful  head. 


(     54     ) 

Hark  !  how  at  evVy  f!ep  the  ^\vfiil  found 
Docs  murni'ring  from  the  hollow  dome  rebound. 
Echoes,  that  long  have  flept,  are  now  awake, 
And  round  the  walls  in  fighing  whifpers  fpeak. 
A  beam  or  two  finds  thro'  the  grates  its  way, 
And  from  the  coffin's  nails  carts  a  weak  ray. 
So  many  half-hid  fpedacles  of  woes, 
Half  which  the  baleful  twilight  dimly  fliews ; 
Mv  former  apprehenfions  much  increafe, 
And  add  frefli  horrors  to  this  gloomy  place, 
I  readth'  infcriptions,  and  by  them  I  find 
The  relics  of  the  great  are  here  reclin'd. 
No  poor  or  vulgar  dead  could,  fure,  receive 
So  pompous  a  retirement  for  their  grave. 
The  moft  illultr'ous  and  right  nobly  great 
To  this  have  laid  claim  as  their  laft  retreat : 
And  in  this  place,  indeed,  they  all  appear 
A  fliadowy  pre-eminence  to  fliare. 
In  filent  pomp,  and  mournful  rank  they  lie. 
In  fepulchres  which  fliine  confpicuoufly. 
While  with  fmall  ceremony,  meaner  dead, 
**  In  the  pit's  ftones,  prepare  their  filent  bed.'* 
My  apprehenfions  wake  from  their  furprife  : 
Here  are  no  fprites  but  which  from  fear  arife. 
But  it  amazes  me  when  I  behold. 
The  wonders  that  thefe  nether  fcenes  unfold. 
Thofe  who  on  vaft  revenues  lately  liv'd. 
And  from  whole  lordlhips  coniequeace  derivM  ; 
In  half  a  dozen  feet  ot  earth  rcpofe. 
While  a  few  Iheets  of  lead  the  whole  inclofc. 
Splendid  apartments,  and  rich  furniture 
No  longer  can  their  haughty  nfinds  allure, 
Thefhroud's  the  only  ornament  tluy  have, 
Inllcad  of  rooms  they  get  the  darkfome  grave. 
No  longer  gaudy  retinues  of  llatc 
Around  this  fdlitary  dome  await ; 


(    S5     ) 

No  more  the  lordly  equipages  ply 

For  their  dead  mafter,  who  can't  them  enjoy  ^ 

Nothing  hut  fable  banners,  which  appear 

The  figns  of  triumph  o'er  their  flaves  to  wear  ? 

Or  ftatues  hid  by  duft,  which,  while  the  gay 

Regardlefs  world  in  pleafure  rolls  away, 

The  fculptor's  hand,  the  workman's  fkillhas  fliewn^ 

And  taught  foft  tears  to  flow  from  folid  ftone. 

Where  is  the  ftar  which  on  the  breafl:  was  plac'd  ? 

Or  coronet  which  once  the  temples  graced? 

The  tattered  efcutcheon  now  we  find. 

And  the  atchievement,  beaten  with  the  wind, 

Are  the  fole  marks  of  dignity  refign'd. 

Thofe  who  drew  from  grand  anceftors  their  name 

And  pedigree,  here  drop  their  lofty  claim. 

With  creeping  things  they  kindred  now  retain. 

And  quarter  arms  with  reptiles  the  moft  mean. 

*'  They  to  corruption  fay,  my  father  be; 

'*  To  worms,  my  mother  and  my  fifler  fee  !'* 

O  mortifying  truth  !  enough  to  wean 

Defire  moft  fanguine  from  a  world  fo  vain  i 

One  would  imagine  it  enough  to  make 

The  foul  from  its  deep  lethargy  to  wake  ; 

Above  its  fickly  fatisfacflions  rife. 

Its  flitting  treafures,  and  its  fading  joys. 

Or  fhould  they  fliill  with  arrogance  altumc 

The  ftyle  of  grandeur  in  the  lonely  tomb  ; 

Alas  !  how  weak,  would  the  pretence  appear  1 

The  oftentatious  vanity  how  clear  ! 

What's  the  world  to  thefe  heaps  of  breathlefs  clay  ? 

What  happinefs  did  their  purfuits  convey  ? 

What  are  their  pleafures  ?  Bubbles  ftor'd  withnought. 

Their  honours  what  ?  A  dream  that  is  forgot. 

What  the  fum  total  of  their  blifs  below  ? 

Or  what  gains  did  from  their  enjoyment  flow  ? 

Perhaps>  to  inexperienced  men,  it  fhew'd 

A  form  of  fomething  wonderful  and  good. 


(    56    ) 

But  lo  !   Now  deatli  lias  weigh'd  it  in  the  fcalc. 
And  lin'd  it  out,  what  does  the  whole  avail? 
Indulge,  my  foul;  a  thoughtful  paufe,  and  fee 
With  Inindiul  look,  e?.ch  trifling  gaiety. 
From  which  fuch  mighty  joys  were  wont  to  rife, 
As  your  affections  feiz'd  and  charmM  your  eyes, 
lixamine  nicely  each  alluring  bait  ; 
Here,  of  their  value^  form  an  eftimate. 
Suppofe  thyfelf  firfl  eminently  plac'd. 
And  with  the  favourites  of  fortune  grac'd: 
Who  in  the  cap  of  pleafure  roll  axvay, 
Shining  in  robes  of  honour,  always  gay. 
And  fvvim  in  tides  of  boundlefs  riches;  yet 
The  paffing-bell  will  foon  thy  end  repeat. 
When  once  that  iron-call  has  fummon'd  thee 
To  future  teft,  where  would  thefe  pleafures  be  ? 
At  that  fix'd  point,  how  all  the  vain  parade 
By  the  luxurious  and  great  difplay'd; 
Their  pompous  pageantry,  and  lofty  pride, 
Will  into  thin  and  empty  air  fubfide  ! 
And  is  this  ftate  fill'd  with  fuch  happinefs^ 
That  we  fo  eagerly  fhould  to  it  prefs? 
Ye  mighty  relics  of  loud  founding  ranks. 
Your  names  magnificent  claim  my  beft  thanks; 
Of  this  world's  littlencfs  youVe  taught  me  more 
Than  all  the  volumes  which  I  have  in  ftore. 
A  winding-flieet,  nobility's  array. 
And  all  your  grandeur,  mould'ring  into  clay; 
To  us  the  flrongcft  tcflimonics  bring 
Of  the  fmall  worth  of  each  terrellrial  thing. 
Never  in  truth,  did  providence  record 
In  fo  ftrong  characters  this  awful  word, 
As  in  the  lifclcfs  aflies  of  his  grace, 
Or  my  lord's  corpfe,  whofc  vital  fundtions  ceafc. 
Let  others  cringing,  if  they  pleafc,  refort. 
And  humbly  to  your  wealthy  fons  pay  court; 


(     57     ) 

Ignobly  fawning  their  requefts  renew, 

And  for  preferments  anxioufly  fue. 

In  penlive  contemplations  oft  my  mind 

Is  to  their  fathers*  fepulchres  confined. 

And,  from  their  ileeping  duft,  learns  to  reftrain 

My  exped:ations  from  all  mortal  men  ; 

From  each  undue  attachment  free  to  climb. 

O'er  all  the  little  interefts  of  time  ; 

O'er  the  deluiive  joys  of  pomp  to  rife. 

And  all  wealth's  gaudy  tinfel  to  defpife ; 

Still  above  all  the  empty  (hades  to  live. 

Which  a  vain  tranfitory  world  can  give. 

Hark  !   what  a  found  is  that  ?  in  fuch  a  place. 

Each  noife  my  former  fears  ferves  to  increafe. 

It  breaks  again  upon  the  filent  air 

Solemn  and  flow the  ftriking  clock  I  hear. 

One  would  imagine,  that  it  was  defign'd 
To  fix  the  meditations  of  my  mind. 
Methinks  it  fays  amen,  and  fets  a  feal 
To  each  improving  hint  it  may  reveal. 
Of.my  appointed  time  it  feems  to  fay, 
Another  portion  has  now  fled  av/ay. 
It  chimes  to  me  juft  like  the  pafling-bell. 
And  is,  of  my  '*  departed  hours,  the  knell.'* 
*Tis  the  watch-word  to  vigilance  and  care, 
And  crys  ''  redeem  the  time''  in  reafon's  ear. 
*'  Catch  opportunity's  refrefhing  gale, 
"  Catch  it  frefli  breathing,  left  away'it  fteal  ; 
*'  Ere  it  fhall  irrecoverably  ftray, 
**■  Since  life's  fhort  fpan  does  by  degrees  decay. 
**  Lo  !  all  thy  minutes  are  upon  the  ftretch, 
"  And  ftrive  with  fpeed  eternity  to  reach. 
''  Now  to  eternity  thou  draweft  near, 
'*  And  art  to  endlefs  time  a  borderer; 
**  You  make  advances  always  to  the  ftate 
*'  On  which  you  thoughtfully  now  contemplate.'' 

H 


(     58     ) 

O  !   may  the  admonition  be  imprcfb'd. 
Deep  on  a  willing  and  attentive  breaft  ! 

0  !  may  it  heaven's  arithmetic  ilipply 

**  My  days  to  count,  my  heart  to  fenfe  apply  !** 
Often,  yea,  often  have  I  walk*d  below, 
Th'  impending  promontory's  craggy  brow; 

1  fometimes  did  thro'  lonely  places  ftray. 
And  o'er  the  gloomy  defert  bend  my  way  ; 
Thro'  dreary  caverns  frequently  did  prefs. 
And  penetrate  their  innermoft  recefs ; 
But  nature  never,  fure,  beheld  before, 
With  form  fo  dreadful  and  tremendous  lour. 
Nor  ever  was  with  like  impreffions  filled, 
Which  witli  cold  awe  my  breail  and  vitals  chill'd  t 
Which  each  black  arch  thefe  mouldy  walls  afford^ 
Surrounded,  and  Vvith  rueful  objed:s  ftor'd  ; 
Where  melancholy,  inelancholy  dread. 

Her  raven  wings  inceffantly  has  fpread. 

Let  me  no  more  in  thefe  damp  places  dwell; 

And  now,  difmal  obicurity,  farewell  ! 

And  ye  moft  doleful  feats,  and  fliades  of  night ! 

Gladly  I  vifit  the  returning  light. 

A  fuperficial  profpedl  having  cafl. 

On  thefe  fad  domes,  where  miOrtals  refl:  at  laft; 

My  prying  mind  prompts  me  without  delay. 

To  a  more  dole  and  intimate  furvcy. 

And  could  wc  open  lay  the  tomb  again, 

And  fee  what  thofe  are  now,  -w/ho  once  were  men  i 

How  would  the  view%  to  our  aftonifli'd  eyes, 

Railc  in  our  bofoms  forrow  and  furprize! 

How  would  we  it  art,  the  wond'rous  change  to  trace. 

The  mighty  change,  of  all  the  human  race  ! 

How  grieve  to  fee  what  foul  diihonour's  paid,         '^ 

What  fmall  account  is  of  our  nature  made,  > 

When  in  their  fubteraneous  lodgments  laid !  J 

Lo!  here  the  gay  and  fweetly  winning  face, 

Which  more  incclfantly  attractive  grace: 


(    59    ) 

And  once  of  fmiles  and  lovelinefs  was  full. 

Grins  horribly  a  naked,  ghaftly  {kull. 

Eyes  which  morebright  than  diamonds  wereconfefs^^d^a, 

And  glanc'd  fweet  hghtning  on  the  coldeft  breaft  : 

Alas '   where  are  they  !  or  where  fliall  we  find 

The  Hnks  which  once  thefe  rolhng  fparKlers  join'd  ! 

Thefe  orbs  echps'd^  in  total  darknefs  loft. 

No  more  bewitching,  radient  glories  boaft. 

The  tongue,  that  could  harmonic  charms  command^ 

And  powerful  eloquence,  in  this  ftrange  land, 

Has  forgot  all  its  cunning,  and  now  where 

Are  thofe  loy'd  ftrains  that  ravifh'd  ev'ry  ear  ? 

Where  is  perfuafion's  flow,  with  charms  replete. 

That  could  our  judgments  wholly  captivate  ? 

The  mafter  fl<:iiPd  in  language  and  fweet  founds. 

Is  filent  as  the  night  which  him  furrounds. 

The  pamper'd  flelh,  fo  lately  clothed  gay,- 

Inpurple  linen,  and  in  rich  array, 

Is  rudely  cover'd  here  with  clods  of  clay  ! 

Once  the  nice,  gentle  creature  could  not  dare, 

**  To  lay  its  foot  upon  the  groumi,''  through  fear. 

So  delicate  and  weak  it  was  -/'  but  lo ! 

It  fleeps  in  clammy  earth  enwrapped  now  j 

Inftead  o£  downy  pillows,  refts  its  head 

On  a  cold,  rocky,  gravel-formed  bed. 

Here  ftrong  men  lowly  bow  themfelves,  and  here 

The  arms  unftrung,  ftout  finews  loofen'd  are  ^ 

Limbs  of  activity  and  ftrength  poffefs'd. 

And  brawny  joints,  repofe  in  fullen  reft  ; 

The  bones,  as  bars  of  iron  ftrong,  become 

An  heap  of  duft  in  the  lone,  darkfome  tomK 

The  manof  bufinefs  here  forgets  his  aims. 

And  lays  afide  his  pleafing,  fav'rite  fchemes. 

He  ceafes  to  perplex  himfelf  in  vain. 

And  difcontinues  the  purfuit  of  gain. 

A  total  ftand  does  in  this  place^arife 

To  commerce,  and  the  falc  of  metchandize*. 


(     6o     ) 

Here,  as  when  Solomon  his  temple  rear'd, 

No  ftroke  of  hammer  or  of  axe  is  heard. 

The  winding-fhect,  the  coffin,  and  the  tomb. 

To  our  devices  gives  the  utmoft  doom  ; 

*•  Hithefo  they  may,  but  no  farther  come.'* 

The  fons  of  pleafure  here,  in  endlefs  night. 

Take  a  Icul  farewell  of  each  dear  delight. 

No  longer  does  the  fenfualifl:  here 

Anoint  with  oil,  or  fragrr.nt  rofe  buds  wear: 

ISo  more  his  time  on  lively  mulic  walle. 

Nor  revel  longer  at  the  drunken  feaft. 

Inftead  of  tables  fumptuoufly  iill'd. 

With  all  the  plenty  elegance  can  yield ; 

Himfelf  the  poor  voluptuary  gives, 

A  treat  w  hereon  the  fattened  infedt  lives  ; 

•'The  reptile  on  his  iielh  feeds  eagerly, 

**  And  the  worm  feafts  onhim  delicioufly." 

Here  all  the  winning  graces  difappear, 

And  blooming  beauty  drops  her  luftre  here. 

Oh  !   how  her  rofes  wither  and  decay  ! 

Here  lilies  languilh  in  this  chilling  clay  I 

How  the  grand  leveller  contempt  does  throw. 

On  w^hat  with  pleafure  made  our  bofoms  glow  f 

With  great  deformity  has  lie  deiiPd 

What  had  before  the  world  in  bondage  held  ! 

Now  could  the  captivated  lover  gaze  "] 

On  the  dear  nymph  which  once  could  fo  much  pleafe,  )> 

What  great  aftoaifliment  would  on  him  feizc.         J 

*'  Is  this  the  charmer,  whom  not  long  ago, 

**  I  fondly  doated  on  and  loved  {o, 

**  I  faid  (he  was  incomparably  fair, 

**  That  Ihe  did  fomethmg  more  than  mortal  Iharc. 

*'  Her  form  in  fymmetry  itfclf  was  drcfs*d, 

•*  And  elegance  fhonc  in  her  air  confefsM  ; 

•'  The  graces  all  attended  in  her  train, 

*'  And  peerlefs  bcaulies  forg'd  the  iilkea  chain* 


(    6i    ■) 

'*  Mufic  was  in  her  words ;  but  when  fhe  fpokt 

*'  Encouragement,  my  raptures  (lie  awoke. 

**  How  my  heart  danc'd  to  the  delightful  found, 

*^  While  in  her  converfe  I  all  comfort  found  ! 

*'  Can  fhe,  fome  weeks  ago  the  queen  of  love, 

*'  Now  fo  infufFerably  loathfome  prove  ? 

*'  Where  are  thofe  blufliing  cheeks,  alas !  novv  fled  1 

**  And  where  thofe  fweet  lips,  as  the  coral  red  I 

'*  Where  that  white  neck,  on  which  the  curling  load 

''  In  glofiy  ringlets  elegantly  flowed  ! 

**  With  numberlefs  perfedions  of  the  face, 

*'  Accompany'd  with  each  becoming  grace! 

*'  The  dreadful  alteration  me  amazM  ! 

**  On  the  bright  meteor  I  fondly  gaz'd  : 

*'  While  like  a  fplendid  ftar  it  ihone,  methought 

**  It  was  with  lafting  and  firm  tranfport  fraught. 

**  But  how,  alas  1   has  it  fo  good  decay'd  1 

**  Fall'n  from  an  orb  in  which  it  only  flray'd  ! 

**  Shall  the  fole  trace  that  it  on  earth  muft  leave 

*^  Be  a  vile  body,  putrid  in  the  grave  t'* 

Lie,  poor  Florcila  !  lie  deep  as  you  muft. 

In  obfcure  darknefs,  m.ixing  with  the  dufl. 

Let  night,  with  her  impenetrable  fhade. 

Forever  o'er  thy  beauties  be  difplay'd. 

Thy  dome  and  thy  condition  now  agree  ; 

To  thy  difgrace  let  no  eye  witnefs  be  : 

But  let  thy  living  fillers  view  thy  fl:ate, 

When  in  the  glafs  their  form  they  contemplate* 

When  the  fweet  image  pleafingly  fhall  rife, 

And  vaft  perfedions  open  to  their  eyes  ; 

When  boundlefs  charms,  with  animating  grace^, 

And  confc'ous  elegance  glow  in  each  face ; 

When  tempting  minutes  dangers  great  conceal. 

And  vain  ideas  in  their  breafts  prevail ; 

Then  let  them  think  what  horrid  gloom  is  drawn^ 

Over  a  face  which  once  like  their '5  did  dawn  i 


(     60 

A  face,  in  which  the  brightefl:  features  flione. 

With  brilliant  beauty,  blooming  as  their  own- 

They,  by  fuch  feafonable  thoughts,  may  find 

Bounds  to  the  toils  they  have  to  drefs  affign'd  > 

And  may  acquire  more  earneft  care  to  clean. 

Not  outfide  calkets,  but  the  pearls  within. 

It  then  might  prove  their  highcft  w^ifli  to  live 

In  ev'ry  virtue  grace  divine  can  give  ; 

To  have  their  minds  with  real  goodnefs  ftor'd. 

After  the  pattern  of  their  bleffcd  Lord. 

And  would  this  any  of  their  charms  conceal  ? 

Or  from  their  perfons  any  honours  fteal  ? 

Quite  the  reverfe  :   it  would  I'pread  matchlefs  grace. 

And  heav'niy  glory  o'er  the  faireic  face. 

It  would  accomplilhments  more  winning  give  ; 

From  it  more  lovelinefs  they  would  receive. 

And  what  is  yet  a  more  inviting  thing, 

Thefe  flow*rs  would  flouriih  in  eternal  fpring  ; 

Nor  fade  with  nature,  nor  with  time  decay, 

But  bloom  forever  in  moft  rich  array  ; 

With  ornaments  untarniih'd  always  Ihine, 

And  e'en  in  wintry  age  Ihed  fweets  divine. 

But  that  which  fliall  their  greateft  praifes  fwell. 

And  beft  thefe  noble  qualities  can  tell  ; 

That  which  muft,  furc,  the  trucft  pleafure  give. 

Is,  as  the  afhes  of  the  phoenix  live. 

From  their  hallow'd  remains,  ere  long  will  rife, 

A  form  illuftrious  to  gild  the  flcies  ; 

As  wings  of  bleffcd  angels  ever  bright, 

And  laftincr  as  new  Zion's  beamincr  hVht. 

For  mc,  the  thought  of  this  fad  change  fhall  ftilf^ 

My  mind  with  fhame  and  endlcfs  forrow  fill. 

For  paying  court  to  flclh  ;  and  make  mc  fear 

From  joys  fo  brittle  happinefs  to  fliare. 

It  fhall  inflruft  mc  henceforth  not  to  prize,- 

The  comforts  which  from  wcjl-join'd  clay  arifc  ; 


"      (     63     ) 

Though  in  one  perfon  elegantly  meet, 

A  form  quite  perfed:,  and  a  foul  mofl  fweet ; 

*Tis  heav'ns  laft,  beft,  and  crowning  gift,  to  be. 

Received  with  gratitude,  and  haiFd  with  joy. 

As  the  prime  bleffing  it  can  to  us  lend  ; 

Nor  flrains  of  fulfome  worfhip  to  expend ; 

Nor  in  th'  tncenfe  of  flattery  conveyed. 

As  adoratioa  to  a  goddefs  paid. 

I  trufl  that  it  my  doating  eyes  will  cure, 

And  make  me  walk  in  v/ifdom's  path  feCure  ; 

Incline  me  always  preference  to  fliew. 

To  **  charms  that  from  meek  and  good  fpirits  flow. 

Before  each  fleeting,  ornamental  grace. 

Which  decorates  with  white  and  led  the  face. 

My  roving  meditations  I  reprefs, 

From  long  excurfions  through  fcenes  of  diftrefs. 

Fancy  awhile  attention  fl:rid:ly  paid. 

To  the  foliloquy  a  lover  made  ; 

But  judgment  now  again  refumes  the  fway, 

And  while  her  lips  inftrudive  truths  convey, 

My  mind  (he  happily  dired:s  and  bends. 

To  felf-concerning  thoughts  w^hich  wifdom  lends. 

Howe'er,  when  on  the  whole  fcene  I  looked  round. 

With  mortal  objects,  and  Death's  trophies  crown 'd  ; 

I  could  not  fail  to  fmite  my  breaft  and  ligh. 

The  nobleft  of  things  vifible  to  fpy, 

**  Under  the  pale  horfe  and  his  rider  lie."' 

While  I  in  thefe  pathetic  terms  exclaim. 

What  ills,  thou  Adam,  from  thy  failings  came ! 

What  direful  defolations  haft  thou  brought. 

On  the  world,  by  thy  difobedience  wrought ! 

The  pov/'rful  mifchiefs  fee,  that  from  fin  flow  I 

Sin,  the  moft  ft^fely  bodies  has  laid  low  ; 

Sin  has  on  earth  been  fo  harfh  and  fevere. 

Among  the  beft  of  God's  creation  there; 

That  deadly  bane  of  nature  would  have  caft 

In.  deepeft  hell,  where  torments  ever  Idl^ 


} 


V      ^4     ) 

My  better  part,  but  that  our  grac'ous  Lord 

Hinifdf  a  ranfom  for  us  did  afford. 

What  due  acknowledgments  can  finners  flievv. 

For  the  great  gratitude  to  God  tliey  owe  ! 

What  can  a  heav'n  of  blcfs*d  behevers  give  ! 

Or  what  warm  love  fliould  he  from  them  receive  ! 

Can  they  with  ample  thanks  before  him  bend  ! 

Such  a  deliverer,  bcnefador,  friend  ! 

While  my  mind  on  thefe  doleful  objeds  refls, 

A  faithful  monitor  within,  fuggefls • 

**  Muft  in  me,  likewife,  this  fad  change  fucceed  ? 

*'  x\nd  am  I,  in  like  manner,  doom'd  to  bleed  ? 

*•  Am  I  to  breathe  my  lall,  and  in  my  turn 

*'  Becom.e  a  corpfe,  and  be  what  I  now  mourn  ? 

**  Is  there  a  time  approaching  then,  fo  near, 

*'  In  which  this  body,  carry *d  on  a  bier, 

*'  Shall  all  this  wretched  world's  temptations  leave, 

**  And  be  configned  to  its  clay  cold  grave  ? 

*'  While  fome  kind  friend,  perhaps,   at  parting,  may 

•'  Let  fall  a  tear,  and,  oh  !  my  brother!   fay?'' 

"Nothing  more  certain  ;  And  which  Ihall  endure. 

Than  laws  of  Mcdcs  and  Peijians,  more  furc  ; 

A  firm  decree  has  ratify'd  the  doom, 

To  which  at  lad  all  mortal  men  muft  come. 

Should  now  one  of  thofe  ghaftly  figures  rife 

From  its  confinement,  prefent  to  my  eyes  ; 

In  dread  deformity  before  me  ftand. 

With  haggard  vifagelift  a  clatt'ring  hand, 

And  point  it  fully  to  my  wondering  fight ; 

Or  open  its  thin  jaws,  formM  to  affright; 

Then  with  a  hoari'e,  tremendous  murmur  fpeak, 

And  horribly  this  profound  filencc  break  : 

Should  it  aeldrefs  me  juilas  Samuel's  gholl 

Did  once  the  tearful,  trembling  king  accoil 

**  The  [,ord  Ihall  give  you  to  the  hand  of  death, 
"  And  thou  muff,  alfo,  foon  rcfign  thy  breath; 


(     65     ) 

Yet  but  a  little  while  and  thou  fhalt  be 
'*  In  the  fame  ftate  you  now  find  me.'* 
The  folemn  warning,  in  a  way  fo  grave, 
Muft  on  my  mind,  fure,  ftrong  impreflions  leaves 
Commands  in  thunder  would  fcarce  deeper  fink, 
Yet  I  ought  vaftly  more  to  fear,  I  think, 
That  which  the  Lord  expreffly  has  declared, 
Thou  fure  llialt  die  ;  and  be  for  death  prepared. 
Well  then,  fince  fentence  is  againfl  me  pafs'd; 
Since  by  a  righteous  judge  I  have  been  caft  ; 
And  know  not  when  the  warrant  may  arrive ;         "^ 
Let  me  to  fin  die,  to  Jehovah  live,  V 

Before  I  death  from  his  juft  fi:roke  receive.  J 

Let  me  the  fliort,  uncertain  time  employ. 
Which  before  execution  I  enjoy. 
In  making  preparations  for  that  flate. 
Where  does  a  blefs'd  and  better  life  aW' ait ; 
That  when  the  fatal  time  com.es,  wdien  my  eyes 
Muft  on  all  objedls  clofe,  below  the  Ikies ; 
I  may  again  my  Saviour  efpy, 
Seated  majeftic  in  the  realms  on  high. 
Since  then  this  frame,  fo  w^onderfully  made, 
Muft  to  the  grave  be  very  foon  conveyed ; 
Since  all  my  powers  of  nefh  muft  foon  give  way. 
To  inactivity,  gloom,  and  decay ; 
Oh !   let  it  always  be  my  earneft  care. 
To  ufe  them  right,  whiLe  in  my  pow'r  they  are  ! 
Let  me  the  poor  ftrive  always  to  relieve. 
And  be  ''  lefs  ready  to  receive  than  give." 
In  humbleft  pofture,  let  my  knees  ftill  bow 
Before  the  throne  of  grace,  devoutly  low ; 
While  on  the  earth  my  eyes  are  firmly  held. 
With  penitence  and  dread  confufion  filPd;'' 
Or  reverently  look  to  heav'n  above. 
For  gracious  mercy,  and  forgiving  love  ! 
In  ev'ry  friendly  interview,  let  ftill 
The  ''  law  of  kindjiefs  all  my  converfe  fill  C" 

I 


(     66     ) 

Or,  if  my  friends  choofe  rather  godly  fpeech, 

Let  ftill  my  tongue  the  gofpel  of  peace  teach. 

Oh  !  that  in  ev>y  public  concourfe  I 

Jviinht,  like  a  trumpet,  raife  my  voice  on  high; 

And  in  melod'ous  accents  fpread  around, 

A  much  more  joyful  and  harmonic  found  ; 

While  I  in  elevated  language  fing, 

Glad  tidings  which  from  free  falvation  fpring  ! 

But  ihut  ftill,  refolutely  clofe,  my  ears, 

Againil:  the  wicked  whifpers  flander  bears ; 

And  ftriclly  careful  always  to  refrain 

From  filthy  talking,   of  a  breath  profane  ; 

Attend  to  knowledge  which  from  wifdom  breaks. 

And  ftedfaft  hear  when  your  Redeemer  fpeaks ; 

Imbibe  the  precious  truths  deep  in  the  mind, 

And  be  they  ftrongly  to  the  heart  inclined. 

Bear  me  my  feet,  to  the  houfe  of  the  Lord  ; 

To  beds  with  fick,  and  domes  with  paupers  ftor*d. 

As  all  my  members  ftill  on  God  depend, 

May  they,  v/ith  reverence,  always  to  him  bend ; 

And  may  I  be  the  willing  inftrument. 

By  which  his  praife  may  o'er  the  world  be  fent ! 

Then,  ye  embalmers,  you  may  fpare  your  pains. 

Since  I,  by  faith,  procure  my  greateft  gains; 

Thcfe  works  of  faith,  and  labours  of  my  love,     . 

Are  the  perfumes  for  which  my  foul  ftill  ftrove. 

Enwrapp'd  in  thefe,  Ld  fear  no  deadly  pert. 

But  fvveetly  in  the  bleffed  Jefus  reft  ; 

Hoping  that  God  will  his  '*  commandment  give," 

By  which  again  **  my  bones"  my  life  receive; 

Re-animate  them  from  the  fenfelefs  clay. 

At  his  moft  awful  and  appointed  day  ; 

And  as  gold  from  the  fire  them  purify, 

*'  I  fay  not  fev*n,  but  fev'n  times  fevcnty.*' 

Here  then,  my  contemplation  took  its  flight, 

And  quickly  in  the  garden  did  alight. 


(     ^7     ) 

Adjoining  to  the  mount  of  Calvary, 

On  which  our  biefs'd  Redeemer  deign'd  to  die. 

Having  view^'d  tombs  of  fellow-creatures  dead, 

Methought  I  long'd  to  fee  where  Chrifh  was  laid.. 

And  what  a  fpectacle,  oh  !  once  w^as  here, 

In  this,  fo  memorable,  fepulchre  ! 

He  who,  for  clothes,  with  light  himfelf  arrays, 

*'  And  w^alks  upon  the  winged  winds"  with  eafe. 

Was  pleafed  frail  habiliments  to  wear, 

And  with  the  proftrate  dead  a  dwelling  fliare. 

Who  can  for  this  think  any  praife  too  great  ? 

Or  can,  too  oft,  the  wond'rous  truth  repeat  ? 

Who,  with  the  moft  tranfporting,  grateful  fong. 

Can  think  on  the  glad  theme  he  dwells  too  long  ? 

He  who,  enthroned  in  glory,  lits  on  high, 

'Mongft  all  the  heav'nly  hofts  diffufing  joy ; 

Was  once  a  body,  bloody,  pale,  and  dead, 

And  on  this  fpot  repos'd  his  lifelefs  head. 

How  great,  Death,  was  thy  triumph  in  that  hour  !"^ 

Ne'er  hadft  thou  captive  in  thy  gloomy  pow*r,         y 

So  excellent  a  prifoner  before.  j 

Did  I  fay  prifoner  ?  and  was  he  fuch  ? 

No  :  he  was  more  than  conqueror  by  much. 

Than  Sampfon  he  far  mightier  arofe, 

When  he  (hook  off  his  tranfient  repofe  ; 

Spoird  the  ftrong  gates,  and  levell'd  with  the  ground 

The  walls  that  thefe  dominions  dark  fui round. 

In  this,  O  mortals  !  in  this  you  muft  place. 

Your  only  hopes  of  comfort  and  of  peace. 

This  dreadful  path  your  Saviour  has  trod. 

And  fmooth  and  eafy  made  the  rugged  road. 

Chrift,  deeping  in  the  chambers  of  the  tomb,       "^. 

Has  from  thi j  manfion  driv'n  the  difmal  gloom^      V 

And  left  fweet  odors  in  each  dreary  room.  J 

The  dying  Jefus  (never  let  that  joy 

Forfake  your  bofoms !  Jefus  who  did  die) 


(    63    ) 

Your  pafsport  and  proteftion  fiire  will  give 

Through  all  the  territories  of  the  grave. 

Trufl  him  ;   they'll  prove  to  Si  on  a  highway. 

And  fafely  you  to  Paradife  convey. 

Believe  in  him  and  you  no  lofs  will  find. 

But  endlefs  gains  when  to  the  tomb  coulignM. 

For  hear  what  to  this  weighty  point  God  faith, 

'*  Whofo  believes  in  me  fiiall  ne'er  fee  death.'* 

How  fyblime  and  cmphatical  this  ftrain  ! 

This  much,  at  leaft,  the  mighty  truth  muft  mean 

**  The  nature  of  that  latter  change  Ihall  be 

Made  for  the  better  moil  furprifingly. 

It  {hall  no  more  be  for  a  punifiiment. 

But  rather  as  the  o-reatefl:  bleffin^Y  fent  : 

o  o 

It  iliall  attended  to  fuch  perfons  hallc. 

With  fuch  a  train  of  folid  profits  grac'd  ; 

That  they  mufi:  not  the  ;^.ame  of  death  receive. 

For  'tis  then  only  they  begin  to  live  : 

To  fay  that  death  could  from  fuch  blifs  arife, 

A  happy  impropriety  implies. 

Their  exit  in  the  end  of  their  frail  ftatc, 

As  then  perfedion  will  on  them  await. 

Their  laft  groan  is  a  prelude  to  their  joy, 

To  comfort,  life,  and  immortality." 

Weak  fouls  !   affrighted  at  the  pafling-bell, 

Who  at  the  fight  of  open'd  graves  tinn  pale ; 

Who  fcarce  aikull  or  coffin  can  behold, 

And  not  experience  a  fhudd'ring  cold  ; 

Who  to  the  gridy  tyrant  bondmen  are, 

And  quake  when  he  his  iron  rod  docs  rear; 

To  the  Lord,  of  your  fpirits  loudly  cry, 

And  for  protcdlion  on  his  fon  rely. 

By  faith  you'll  from  your  flavcry  be  freed, 

And  courage  get  on  this  worft  fnake  to  tread. 

Old  Simeon,  when  Jesus  he  embrac'd, 

Departed  with  tranquillity,  well  plcaS'd; 


(     69    ) 

When  the  child  Chrift,  in  arms  of  flefn  he  grafpM, 

And  in  faith's  arms  the  Mediator  clafp'd. 

That  bitter  perfecutor,  Saul,  when  crowned 

With  his  Redeemer,  in  Chrift  being  found. 

Longs  for  difmiffion  from  this  cumb'rous  earth. 

And  is  all  rapture  at  the  fight  of  death. 

Sure  I  fee  one  more  of  Imm^anuel's  train, 

Truftmg  in  Chrift,  on  his  Redeemer  lean. 

And  cheerfully  to  filent  fliades  depart. 

With  a  composed  and  an  exulting  heart. 

Under  this  powerful  and  blefs'd  name  behold, 

Numberlefs  crowds  of  finful  men  grown  bold  ! 

Have  fixM  their  banners,  and  m.oft  bravely  fought^^ 

And  ''  by  the  Lamb's  blood  vidlory  have  got.'* 

Thou  mayft,  by  the  example  which  the  Lord, 

The  Captain  of  Salvation,  does  afford. 

Undaunted  ev'ry  care  and  danger  meet. 

And  on  the  king  of  terrors  fet  thy  feet. 

Supply 'd  with  this  fure  antidote,  you  miay 

Round  the  hole  of  the  cup  fecurely  play  ; 

And  put  your  hand,  unconfcious  of  dread, 

Where  the  dire  cockatrice  its  den  has  made  ; 

Thou  mayft  feel  vipers  on  thy  mortal  part, 

And  yet  experience  no  deadly  fmart. 

You,  by  a  joyful  refurrection,  will 

Shake  them  off*  one  day,  without  any  ill. 

Refurred:ion  !   that  cheering  word  prepares 

Joy  for  my  foul,  and  lightens  all  my  cares ; 

My  mind  it  eafes  of  its  anx'ous  pains. 

And  an  enquiry  of  vaft  weight  explains. 

I  would  have  alked,  wherefore  in  this  place. 

Lie  all  thefe  corpfes,  in  fuch  abjed:  Cafe  ? 

And  is  this,  then,  their  fix'd  and  final  doom  ? 

Has  death,  their  conqueror,  chained  them  to  the  tomb? 

Will  he  his  captives  ne'er  from  bondage  free  ? 

Wilt  thou  forget  them,  Lord,  eternally  ? 


(    7°    ) 

No,  faith  the  voice  from  heav'n,  the  word  divine, 

Hope  doth  all  good  and  right'oiis  men  confine. 

There  is  an  hour  (that  awful  fecret's  known 

To  God,  the  all-forefceing  Lord,  alone) 

There  is  a  time,  a  fixed  hour  of  grace, 

In  which  an  adl  the  heav*nly  feal  will  pafs^ 

Whereby  they  Ihall  a  full  difcharge  receive. 

Eternal  freedom  from  the  gloomy  grave. 

Then  the  Lord  Jefus  fliall  from  heav'n  dcfcend, 

While  angels  and  archangels  him  attend. 

And  with  the  trump  of  God  all  nature  rend. 

Deftruftion's  felf,  fliall  the  dread  call  adore. 

And  graves  obediently  their  dead  rellore. 

They,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  awake, 

And  from  ten  thoufand  years'  fleep  quickly  break  ; 

They  fpring  forth  like  the  bounding  roe  or  deer. 

To  meet  **  the  Lord  eternal  in  the  air.'' 

And  oh  !   with  what  congratulating  grace, 

With  how^  tranfporting,  hearty  an  embrace. 

Are  the  foul  and  the  body  once  more  join'd. 

Companions  fo  affcdlionate  and  kind  ! 

But  how  much  greater  figns  of  love  are  fhewn, 

When  Chrift,  compafTionate,  calls  them  his  own  ! 

The  Lord,  who  in  the  clouds  of  heav'n  does  come. 

Is  their  kind  friend^  their  fuhcr,  and  bridegroom; 

Yet  they  are  not  to  fuffer  any  fears. 

From  all  the  grandeur  in  which  he  appears. 

Thofe  wonderful  folcmnities,  fo  dread, 

Which  awe  and  ruin  through  all  nations  fpread. 

Serve  only  to  inflame  their  love  the  more, 

And  make  their  hopes  of  happinefs  flow  o'er. 

The  awful  judge,  in  all  his  mightincfs 

And  fplendour,  vouchlafes  their  names  to  confcfs  ; 

Vouchfafes  their  great  fidelity  to  tell. 

Before  the  beings  that  in  heav'n  dwell ; 

And  deigns  their  goodnefs  to  commemorate 

Before  the  world,  who  on  his  will  await. 


(    71     ) 

Hark  !  now  the  thunders  their  dread  found  alTuage ; 

The  hghtnings  ceafe  their  terrifying  rage  ; 

In  filent  doubt,  the  angehc  armies  fee; 

Attentive  wait  the  Judge's  great  decree  ! 

The  race  of  Adam,  with  an  anx'ous  mind^ 

Exped:  a  fentence  rigourous  or  kind. 

The  King  Supreme,  adorable,  whofe  grace, 

Is  more  than  hfe  to  mortal's  pureft  peace ; 

And  whofe  adoption  is  a  crow^n  of  joy. 

Upon  the  right'ous  cafts  a  pleafingeye. 

Oh!  what  a  fpeech  from  his  hps  fweetly  breaks  1 

What  cheering  accents,  as  he  grac'ous  fpeaks  ! 

And  with  what  extacies  of  joy  and  praife, 

They  in  the  bofoms  of  the  faithful  blaze  ! 

To  you,  my  people,  I  acceptance  give. 

For  ye  are  they  who  did  my  name  believe, 

Lo  !  ye  are  they  who  have  yourfelves  deny'd. 

And  with  firm  truft  ftill  on  my  pow'r  rely'd. 

No  fpot  or  blemifh  in  your  frames  I  fee, 

Wafli'd  in  my  blood,  cloth'd  in  my  purity. 

Renew'd  by  my  fpirit,  ye  on  earth. 

Have  prais'd  me,  and  been  conftant  unto  death. 

Come  then,  ye  fervants  of  the  living  Lord, 

Enjoy  the  comforts  which  he  will  afford. 

Come  then,  ye  bleffed  of  the  Lord  above,  "^ 

Children  of  light,  who  fhare  my  father's  love,  )► 

Poffefs  a  kingdom  that  fhall  ne'er  remove ;  J 

Receive  the  crown  that  fadeth  not  away. 

And  tafte  of  pleafures  which  can  ne'er  decay  ! 

The  right'ous  then,  this  fmalleftgood  fhall  gain, 

That  they  no  more  will  languifh  under  pain ; 

That  ficknefs  ne'er  again  fhall  fhew  her  face, 

Her  doleful  vifage,  in  their  dwelling-place. 

At  that  great  period  death  itfelf  fhall  die. 

And  be  quite  ''  fwallow^d  up  in  vidtory  .'* 

That  fatal  jav'lin,  whofe  unerring  dart. 

Drank  monarchs'  blood ;  and  pierced  the  mortal  heart; 


(      72      ) 

Death,  wlilch  all  Adam's  children  has  annoy'd. 

Shall  at  that  time  be  utterly  deilroy'd. 

That  Icytiic  enormous,  which  in  darkeft  fliadc 

The  great  eft  empires  has  fo  often  laid  ; 

Which  years  and  generations  can  remove, 

Shall  then  perpetually  ufelefs  prove. 

Sin,  alio,  Vv^hich,  thou  bloody  tyrant,  fills 

Thy  hateful  quiver  with  tormenting  ills  ; 

Sin,  which  lO  thee  rcfiftlefs  ftrength  could  yield. 

And  crown'd  the  viclor  in  each  horrid  field  ! 

Which  drove  thy  arrows  with  unbounded  might. 

Shall  then  be  covered  in  unceafing  night. 

Whatever's  frail,  or  could  our  minds  deprave, 

Shall  be  thrown  off  for  ever  in  the  orrave. 

Ail  yet  to  come  is  excellence  fupreme, 

Confummatc  bhfs,  and  tranfports  Hill  the  lame. 

Eternity  !   O  vaft  Eternity  ! 

Thou  doft  our  boldeft,  ftrongeft  thoughts  defy  ! 

All  our  refearches  thy  great  depths  to  gain 

Are  ufelefs,  ineffedual,  and  vain  ! 

Who  can  with  landmarks  thy  dimenfions  bound  > 

Or  who  find  plumbers  the  abyfs  to  found  ? 

Arithmeticians  have  rules  to  fliew 

The  fcafons  which  progreftive  time  goes  through  ; 

Aftronomers  have  inftrumcnts  to  fpy, 

And  tell  how  diftant  all  the  planets  lie. 

Can  numbers  ftate,  or  any  lines  unfold, 

The  lengths  and  breadths  eternity  fhould  hold  ? 

Its  height  is  more  than  heav'n;  what  canfl  thou  do  ? 

*•  Its  depth  is  more  than  hell;  what  canft  thou  know  ? 

"  Its  m.calurc  doth  our  leffer  earth  contain, 

**  And  in  its  breadth  it  holds  the  watVy  main.*' 

Myfteriousexilkncc,  vaft  excefs  :  "] 

Not  to  be  rendered  by  deductions  lefs,  y 

Or  by  the  largeft  funis  we  can  cxprcfs !  J 

Extent  impoihblc  to  be  confin'd. 

By  any  boundaries  by  us  alfignM  ! 


{     73     ) 

None  can  fay  after  wond'rous  ages  wafte, 
"  That  fo  much  of  eternity  is  part/' 
For,  when  ten  thoufand  centuries  are  gone, 
It  is  but  juft  comnncncing  to  come  on ; 
When  millions  more  have  run  their 'ample  round, 
It  will  no  nearer  to  its  end  be  found. 
When  ages,  numerous  as  the  bloom  of  fpring, 
Join'd  to  the  herbage  which  the  fummers  bring ; 
Augmented  by  the  ears  of  autumn's  grain. 
All  multiply'd  by  winter's  dropping  rain  ; 
And  when  ten  thoufand  times  ten  thoufand  more. 
Added  to  numbers  infinite  before  ; 
More  than  imagination  can  convey, 
Or  yet  fimilitude  have  pafs'd  away ; 
Eternity,  amazing,  vaft,  immenfe, 
Will  only  at  that  period  commence ; 
Or  rather,  if  I  in  thefe  terms  may  fpeak. 
Will  its  beginning  but  begin  to  m.  ke. 
O  !  what  a  pleafing  awful  thought  is  this  ! 
With  dread  abounding,  and  yet  full  of  blifs. 
May  this  give  the  alarm  to  all  our  fears, 
Quicken  our  hopes,  and  animate  our  cares  ! 
May  it  inilrud  us  faithfully  to  live. 
And  fortitude  to  our  eadeavours  give  ! 
An  inconceivable  and  endlefs  ftate 
Does  iliortly,  very  fliortly,  us  await ; 
Let  us  be  diligent  now,  to  infure 
An  entrance  into  happinefs  fecure  ! 
Let  us  our  utmoft  induftry  apply. 
Since  no  fcene  alters  in  futurity. 
The  wheel  ne'er  turns  nor  objects  chaise  receive  j 
Airs  fix'd,  immovable,  beyond  the  grave. 
Whether  w^e  then,  are  feated  on  the  throne. 
Or  ftretch'd  on  racks,  in  agony  to  groan ; 
Juflice  iaiflexible,  or  endlefs  grace. 
Will  a  iirm  fcal  to   our  condition  place. 

K 


(     74    ) 

The  faints  their  happinefs  rejoicing  prove, 

Amidft  the  fmiles  of  never  ending  love; 

Their  harps  inceflantly  to  joy  they  fit  ; 

No  interruption  their  triumphs  admit. 

The  ruin  which  the  wicked  undergo. 

Is  fiird  with  irremediable  woe. 

The  fatal  fentence  which  the  Lord  fhall  feal. 

Is  fix'd,   immovalrle,  without  repeal. 

They  cannot  one  faint^  glimm'ring  hope  revive. 

Their  doleful  habitations  e'er  to  leave  ; 

But  all  things  the  fame  difmal  afped:  bear, 

And  which  they  everlaftingly  muft  wear. 

The  wicked How  my  penfive  bofom  flirinks, 

When  on  their  dreadful  mifery  it  thinks  ! 

It  wav'd  the  horrid  theme  with  careful  awe ; 

And  feems  yet  willing  from  it  to  withdraw. 

But  it  is  better  for  fome  minutes,  fure. 

To  cogitate,  than  endlefs  pains  endure. 

Perhaps  the  thoughts  of  their  fad  torments  may, 

Some  terrible  advantages  difplay  ; 

Perhaps  the  thought  of  their  augmented  woes. 

May  to  my  foul  fome  mighty  good  difclofe ; 

IWay  teach  me  Jefus  with  more  joy  to  fee 

**  Who  from  the  pit  unfathom'd  fets  me  free." 

May  hurry  me,  like  the  avenger's  fword. 

To  this  fole  city  with  protection  ftor'd. 

Which  to  fad  finners  refuge  can  afford. 

As  malefadlors  in  the  prifon's  gloom 

Fearfully  wait  their  trial  yet  to  come ; 

So  here  the  wicked  in  confufion  lie, 

And  fuffer  torments  to  eternity. 

They  muft  forever  dwell  in  this  dire  place. 

For  **  their  departure  was  devoid  of  peace." 

Their  clofing  eye-lids  w  ere  with  horrors  drownM, 

Which  dealt  inceflantly  a  direful  wound ; 

And  fad  forebodings  in  their  minds  did  raife, 

'*  That  the  black  durknefs  would  not  ever  ce^fc/' 


} 


(     IS     ) 

When  the  laft  ficknefs  feiz'd  their  tott'ring  frame,  "1 
And  the  inevitable  fummons  came  -,  ^ 

When  at  their  life  they  faw  the  archer  aim  ;  J 

And  to  the  ftring  perceiv'd  the  fatal  reed 
Fitted,  and  pofting  with  unerring  fpeed  ; 
When  they  experienced  the  deadly  dart,. 

Transfixed  deeply  in  the  vital  part 

Good  God  !  what  fearfulnefs  muft  then  annoy  I 

What  horrid  dread  their  ev'ry  hope  deftroy  ! 

How  ftedfaftly  their  ghaftly  eyes  they  keep, 

Shudd'ring  at  the  tremendous,  gloomy  fteep  ! 

Afraid  exceffively  this  world  to  leave, 

Yet  utterly  incapable  to  live  ! 

What  pale  reviews,  what  ftartling  profpedls  rife* 

Confpiring  all  their  fouls  to  agonize ! 

When  their  paft  life  they  ponder,  they  behold 

Mofl:  melancholy  fcenes  themfelves  unfold ; 

God's  mercy  flighted,  unrepented  fin, 

And  grace  withdrawing  from  the  foul  within. 

They  forward  look,  naught  opens  to  their  fight. 

But  that  great  God  w^ho  forms  his  judgment  rights 

They  at  the  dread  tribunal  muft  appear, 

And  pay  their  awful,  folemn  reckoning  there. 

Around  them  their  affrighted  eyes  th*ey  roll. 

Viewing  the  friends  who  their  diflrefs  condole. 

Who,  if  partakers  in  their  wicked  life, 

Mufi:  add  frefli  anguifh  to  their  former  grief; 

When  they  confider,  in  this  dreadful  flate. 

That  this  their  guilt,  mufl  further  aggravate  ; 

When  they  perceive  they  have  not  finn'd  alone 

But  have  made  others  ad:,  as  they  have  done  ; 

If  their  friends  are  to  holinefs  inclin'd. 

This  heaps  new  forrow  on  each  troubled  mind; 

It  greatly  heightens  their  diftradiing  pain. 

That  they  fhall  ne'er  enjoy  their  fight  again; 

But  at  a  diftance  unaproachable. 

And  parted  by  a  gulph  unpaflableo 


(    76    ) 

They  at  the  laft,  perhaps,  begin  to  pray. 

Striving  hy  that  their  terrors  to  allay  ; 

With  anx'ous  wifli  they  to  the  Lord  apply. 

And  for  a.'Iiflance  to  Jehovah  cry  : 

With  trembling  lips  their  fidt'ring  words  they  pour. 

To  that  great  God    '•  who  kills  and  can  reftore/' 

But  whiV,  oh  !   why  have  they  (o  long  delay 'd, 

Pray'rs  which  to  heav*nthey  Ihould  before  have  made  ? 

Could  they  have  ho.  csof  any  blefs'd  reward. 

When  to  God's  counfels  they  paid  no  regard  ? 

And  why  did  they  incorrigible  ftand, 

Unmindful  ever  of  his  grciit  comm.and  ? 

How  oft  were  they  forewarnM  of  this  fad  ftate. 

And  what  dire  punifl^imcnts  would  them  await  ? 

How  oft  importunately  urg'd  by  God 

To  turn  to  him,  and  ihun  his  vengeful  rod  ? 

I  wdh.  the  Lord  may  on  them  mercy  pour. 

And  fave  them  at  this  laft  alarming  hour  ! 

I  wifli  they  may  his  kind  forgivenefs  meet. 

Ere  deep  damnation  burfls  beneath  their  feet  I 

But  oh  !  affi'onted  majefty  may  then, 

Regardlcfs  of  all  their  complaints  remain; 

Nor  deign  to  work  a  miracle  of  grace, 

To  give  fuch  obftinate  tranfgreliors  peace. 

He  may,  for  aught  that  any  mortal  knows, 

**  Joy  at  their  griefs,  and  laugli  at  all  their  woes  ? 

*'  May  be  unhcedfiil  of  their  agony, 

**  And  mock  them  when  their  fear  approachethnigh.'* 

Thus  they  lie  groaning  with  fevcreil  pains, 

In  tortures  fpcnding  what  of  life  remains, 

With  chillino-  fweat  their  bodies  running;  o'er 

Which  iffiies coldly  from  each  open*d  pore; 

Convulfive  throes  now  ftruggle  with  the  heart. 

Grief  infupportablc  throbs  thro*  each  part  : 

Innumerable  fliafts  of  Ibrrow  fpend 

Their  rage  upon  them,  and  their  confcicnce  rend. 


(    77     ) 

If  the  ungodly  fufFer,  then  this  death. 

And  with  fad  torments  thus  refign  their  breath, 

''  My  foul,  do  not  into  their  fccretccine, 

**  Left  you  Ihouid  meet  with  their  eternal  doom  ? 

''  Do  not,  mine  honour,  with  fuch  men  unite, 

'*  But  from  their  meetings  take  your  darling  flight!*' 

How  awfully  accomplifh'd  are  the  words, 

The  truths  w  hich  infpir'd  wifdom  Ihll  affords  1 

**  Sin  always  bears  the  moft  deftru6live  load, 

*'  Tho'  feemingly  in  the  commiiiion  good  ; 

*'  Like  bites  of  ferpents  it  infli^teth  pains, 

**  And  like  the  adders  hidden  flings  contain." 

Then,  thefe  loft  wretches'  wicked  courfes  (Ivan, 

And  from  their  tents  w'ith  expedition  run. 

How  happy  w^ould  this  difTolution  be. 

Should  it  from  all  their  tortures  fet  them  free  ! 

Alas  !   thefe  tribulations  only  are 

The  bitter  prelude  to  their  future  care  ; 

Which  one  drop  of  the  ''  cup  of  trembling"  give 

Mingled  with  anguifii  they  muft  yet  receive. 

Nb  fooner  fiiall  the  lateft  pang  expel 

The  foul  reluc'^ant  from  its  earthly  cell  ; 

But  they  are  hurry'd  with  moft  rapid  flight. 

To  God*s  moft  injured  and  offended  fight ; 

Not  by  the  conduct  of  beneficence. 

Which  blefted  Angels  cheerfully  difpenfe; 

But  left  to  infults  of  the  fiends  accurs'd, 

Who  lately  tempted  them  to  deeds  the  w^orft^ 

Who  now  upbraid  them  fof  their  lives  mifpent. 

And  to  eternity  will  them  torment. 

Who  can  conceive  their  forrow  and  diftrefs 

Or  their  confufion  properly  exprcfs  ; 

When  inexcufable  and  guilty,  they 

In  fight  of  their  incensed  Creator  ftay  ? 

They  are  received  with  an  angry  brow ; 

**  The  God  that  made  tliem  has  no  mercy  now/' 


(     78     ) 

The  Spring  of  happinefs,  the  Prince  of  Peace> 

Rejedls  them  with  abhorrence  and  difgrace; 

He  gives  them  o'er  to  chains  of  black  defpair> 

And  to  receptacles  of  gloomy  care ; 

'Till  that  more  public,  miferable  ftate. 

Which  at  the  laft,  great  day,  fhall  on  them  wait. 

The  phials  then  of  unrelenting  woe, 

Will  thefe  unhappy  creatures  overflow. 

The  holy  law,  of  which  they  made  (o  light ; 

The  gofpel,  which  they  hitherto  did  flight ; 

The  pow'r  which  they  repeatedly  abus'd  ; 

The  goodnefs,  which  fo  often  they  refused  ; 

Will  then,  in  their  exemplary  decay. 

With  richefl:  honours  their  neglccft  repay. 

Then  God  the  Lord  who  fliall,  v/ithout  repeal. 

His  jufl:  difpleafure  on  the  wicked  deal  ; 

Will  draw  the  arrow  to  the  head,  and  bind 

Them  as  the  mark  of  his  relentlefs  mind. 

A  refurrecSion  from  the  gloomy  grave. 

Will  to  their  fouls  no  privileges  give  ; 

But  immortality  itfelf  fhall  Tbed 

Eternal  curfes  on  each  wretched  head. 

Would  they  not  blefs  with  warmeft  thanks  the  tomb 

**  Where  all  things  lie  in  cverlafting  gloom  ?*' 

Would  they  not  wiih  forever  there  to  hide. 

And  in  its  dark  receflfe*  ftill  refide  ? 

Their  perfons,  though,  the  grave  will  not  conceal. 

Or  o'er  their  wicked  aftions  draw  a  veil. 

They  alfo  muft  awake  !  they  muft  arife. 

And  meet  their  judge  immortal,  in  the  fkies  : 

Thatgrcat  judge  bcfoi'e  whom  heav'n's  pillars  quake, 

*'  And  earth's  foundations  to  the  centre  Ihakc  :'' 

A  judge,  long  fuff'ring  once  with  mercy  ftorM, 

A  once  compafl^ionatc  and  friendly  Lord ; 

But  now  unalterably  fix'd  to  fliew. 

Stubborn  ofil:ndcrs,  what  great  evils  flow. 


(    79    ) 

From  their  provoking  of  Almighty  God  ; 

What  'tis  to  trample  on  their  Saviour's  blood ; 

And  what  it  is  v^^ith  defpite  to  receive 

The  gracious  overtures  his  fpirit  gave. 

Oh  !   what  perplexity  will  then  abound  I 

And  what  diftradlions  muft  the  fouls  confound 

Of  wicked  rebels  !   when  the  final  call 

Before  God's  judgment-feat  fhall  bring  them  all ! 

**  What  can  they  do  in  this  day  of  diftrefs/' 

Which  feals  their  punifliment  without  redrefs! 

Where  ?  How?  or  from  whence,  can  they  feek  relief? 

Which  of  the  faints  will  migitate  their  grief  ? 

Where  can  they  find  eafe  from  their  wretched  ftate  ? 

Alas !   'tis  all  in  vain ;  'tis  all  too  late. 

Friends  and  acquaintance  here  no  longer  own. 

That  they  before  were  ever  to  be  known  : 

Now  heav'n  and  earth  forfake  them  to  the  woe 

Which  they  eternally  muft  undergo ; 

And  ev'n  the  mediator's  felf  denies. 

In  thefe  black  moments,  any  hopes  to  rife. 

To  fly,  it  will  impracticable  be ; 

To  clear  themfelves,  impoflibility ; 

And  to  implore  in  fupplicating  ftrain,  } 

Would  now  be  unavailable  and  vain. 

Behold  !   the  book  of  judgment's  open  laid, 

The  ftridleft  fcrutiny  will  now  be  made  ; 

The  fecrets  of  all  hearts  fhall  be  difclos'd. 

And  ev'ry  wickednefs  to  fight  expos'd  ; 

The  things  which  hitherto  were  hid  in  night. 

Shall  be  difplayed  in  the  cleareft  light. 

How  empty,  iiieffeftual,  and  bare 

Will  each  refined  artifice  appear ; 

With  which  the  hypocrites  have  mendeceiv'd, 

And  worthy  characters  from  them  received  ! 

The  jealous  God,  the  mighty  Lord,  who  hath 

Been  round  their  bedj  has  been  about  their  path ; 


V     ^o     ) 

And  hath  fccn  all  the  ways  which  they  have  run ; 

"  Before  them  lets  the  things  that  they  have  done.'* 

They  can't  to  one  in  thoufands  anfwer  make, 

But  in  the  awful  judgment  trembling  quake, 

iSpeechlefs  with  guilt,  and  branded  with  difgrace. 

They  dare  not  view  the  blefi'ed  angels'  fiice. 

Oh  !  what  a  favour  would  the  foaming  fea, 

By  hiding  their  afhamed  heads,  convey  ! 

How  verv  willingly  would  they  be  hurl'd, 

B':neath  the  ruins  of  the  tott'ring  world  ! 

If  the   contempt  that's  thrown  upon  them,  then, 

Can  caufc  ih  infupportable  a  pain  ; 

'*  Hou^  will  their  hearts  fland"  when  with  woes  prcpar'd 

The  fword  of  endlefs  indignation's  rcar'd, 

y\nd  fiercely  wav'd  round  each  defcncclefs  head, 

There  its  abundant  agonies  to  flied  ; 

Or  aim'd  diredlly  at  the  naked  breafl. 

That  they  eternally  maybe  diftrefs'd  ! 

How  mufc  the  wretches  fcream  with  wild  furprize. 

Rending  the  heav'ns  with  fad  bewailing  cries  ; 

When  **  the  right-aiming  thunderbolts'*  of  God 

To  execute  his  orders  **  go  abroad  !" 

Go  at  the  dreadfully  commanding  word. 

To  drive  them  from  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord  ; 

Not  to  involve  them  in  a  moment's  pain. 

Or  tortures  which  but  one  fhort  hour  remain  ; 

But  into  all  the  reftlcflhefs  and  care,  "^ 

The  pangs  which  fires  unquenchable  prepare,  y 

And  griefs  of  everlalting,  black  defpair  !  J 

O  !   miftry  of  mifcries  !   fad  fate  ! 

Too  Ihocking  for  reflection  to  repeat. 

But  if  it  is  fo  difmal  to  fore  fee. 

And  that  when  vicw'd  fo  very  dillantly. 

And  with  fbme  comfortable  hopes  combined, 

Some  cxpcdlations  an  eicape  to  rind  ; 

How  hard  how  inconceivably    fevcrc, 

How  vaflly  bitter  thcfc  dire  pangc  to  bear  ; 


(     81     ) 

Without  a  refpite  from  fuch  agony. 
Thro*  hopelefs  ages  of  eternity  ! 
Who  can  the  bowels  of  compaffion  (hew  ? 
In  whom  do  fentiments  of  pity  glow  ? 
Who  for  his  fellow-creatures  can  conceive, 
Tender  concern,  their  hardfhips  to  relieve  ? 
Who  is  he  !   for  Chrift's  fake,  and  in  God's  name. 
Let  active  zeal  his  fympathy  proclaim. 
Let  him  befeech  mankind  to  feek  the  Lord^ 
While   in  their  reach  he  may  himfelf  afford  ! 
To  throw  their  arms  rebellious  away. 
Ere  the  ad:s  of  indemnity  decay, 
Submiffively  the  Holy  Lamb  adore 
Who  for  his  ovv^n  has  pcrfed:  blifs  in  fcore. 
Let  us  to  men  here  act  the  friendly  part,  "*] 

Let  our  benevolence  itfelf  exert,  y 

To  prove  the  feelings  of  a  tender  heart:  J 

By  warning  whomfoever  may  be  gained, 
Quickly  to  take  the  wings  of  faith  unfeign'd ; 
With  undelay'd  repentance  ftraight  comply, 
And  **  from  yet  abfent  indignation  fly/' 
Upon  the  whole,  what  great  difcoveries, 
Immenfe,  flupendous,  open  to  my,  eyes  ! 
Do  thou,  my  foul,  to  ferious  thoughts  refign'd. 
In  faithful  memory  keep  them  confin'd. 
Still  recoiled:  them  with  a  prudent  breaft. 
When  you  lie  dow^n,  or  when  you  rife  from  reft. 
Do  thou,  when  walking,  always  them  receive 
As  the  companions  who  beft  counfel  give ; 
To  them  v/hen  talking,  ftrid;  attention  pay. 
As  prompters  who  the  foundeft  truths  convey. 
And  to  whatever  bufinefs  you  attend. 
Heed  them  as  thofe  who  will  the  beft  befriend. 
If  you  by  thefeconfiderations  move. 
Your  ev'ry  view  will  more  extenfive  prove ; 
All  your  affedlions  will  exalted  be. 
And  rife  in  value  more  confpic'ouflyj 

L 


(     Sa     ) 

And  you  \vill  foar  en  more  majeftic  wings. 

O'er  tantalizing  reach  of  earthly  things. 

Thy  bofom,  with  thefe  influences  fiWd, 

That  on  which  your  fuprcme  deiires  you  build. 

The  fcope  of  your  endeavours,  will  be  then. 

The  approbation  of  the  Lord  to  gain; 

Who  w^ill  with  glory  fill  the  judgment  feat. 

And  the  decifive  fcntcnce  there  repeat. 

His  pleafure  for  thy  rule  will  to  thee  leave. 

The  greateft  happinefs  you  can  receive. 

His  glory  be  thy  aim  ;  his  holy  grace. 

With  ftrength  unccaiing,  will  thy  faith  increafc. 

Wonder,  O  man  !  with  adm.iration  fee 

The  great  events,  how  near  approaching  thee ; 

View  the  llrangc  prodigies  which  foon  will  fall 

With  dread  awe  on  the  univerfal  ball ; 

Events  Ibvaft  that  nothing  here  below, 

No  finite  being  can  their  meafure  know. 

Events,  by  which  whatever  yet  was  thought 

Great  in  the  world,  will  be  reduced  to  nought, 

And  w^ill  to  littlenefsand  nothing  tear 

The  annals  of  which  mankind  took  fuchcare  ; 

Which  Jefus,  (for  their  coming  give  us  grace  ! 

Be  our  defence,  O  Lord,  when  they  take  place  !) 

Are  with  the  fixed,  everlafling  fate 

Of  all  the  living  and  the  dead  replete. 

I  mufl  behold  the  graves  then  cleaving  wide. 

And  ocean  teeming  from  its  mighty  tide, 

Muil  unfufpcded  multitudes  elpy, 

And  countlcfs  crowds  together  fwarming  fly; 

Muft  fee  from  both  the  thronging  nations  fpring, 

To  hear  the  fcntcnce  of  their  judge  and  king  ; 

Mult  fee  the  world  blaze  withdclh-udlivc  flame, 

To  non-exiflcncc  turn'd,  from  which  it  came  ; 

Stand  at  the  downfall  of  mortality. 

And  an  attendant  on  dead  nature  he. 


(     §3     ) 

I  mufl  the  great  expanfive  flcies  behold, 

Themf elves  like  fcrolis  of  paper  clolely  fold  ; 

And  the  incarnate  God  of  bounilefs  worth. 

From  brightnefs  inacceffible  come  forth  ; 

On  whom  tenthoufand,  thoiifand  angels  wait. 

While  he  confirms  both  men's  and  devils'  fate. 

I  muft  fee  time  conceaPd  in  endlefs  night 

And  vafl:  eternity  difclos'd  to  fight  ; 

Muft  enter  on  a  new  exiftence  now, 

Which  never  nearer  to  an  end  fliall  grow* 

Let  the  moft  vain  imagination  fay. 

Ought  I  not  heed  fully  to  watch  my  way; 

The  purity  of  my  belief  to  try. 

And  not  too  much  on  human  flrength  rely  ? 

Are  there  inquiries  vv^orthy  greater  care, 

Oh  yes  !   when  w^e  our  earth  with  heav'n  compare, 

Does  not  this  give  an  infinite  command, 

With  girded  loins  before  the  Lord  to  fland ; 

To  trim  my  lamp,  and  my  beft  garm.ents  v/ear. 

When  I  before  the  **  bridegroom  fliall  appear"? 

That  I,  wafh'd  in  the  blefTed,  bloody  tide. 

The  fountain  opened  in  my  Sav'our's  fide ; 

Clad  w^ith  the  marriage- garment  which  was  wove 

By  his  obedience  and  tranfcendant  love  ; 

May,  **  unreprovable,  be  found  in  peace,'* 

Unblamable  by  his  abundant  grace. 

Elfe  hov/  fliall  I  with  boldnefs  frand  when  all. 

The  fl:ars  of  heav'n  from  their  bright  orbits  fall  ? 

How  fliall  I  come  with  courage  in  my  face, 

Eredl  and  darings  fearlefs  of  difgrace  ; 

When  ev'n  the  earth,  from  its  foundations  low>. 

Is  like  a  drunkard  reeling  to-and-fro  ? 

How  fliall  I  then  look  up  with  pleafing  joy. 

And  behold  my  falvation  drawing  nigh ; 

When  hearts  of  multitudes  thro'  terror  faiU 

And  dreadful  agonies  their  fouls  aflail.? 


(     84     ) 

Now  madam,  lefl:  my  meditations  may 
Set  in  a  cloud,  and  any  gloom  difplay 
Unpleafingto  your  mind,  let  me  once  more 
The  brightening  profpedts  of  the  juft  explore. 
Their  ioytul  expectations  held  in  fight, 
May  ferve  our  doleful  mufings  to  delight ; 
May  our  fad  thoughts  exhilarate,  which  were 
Longfix'd  on  fepulchrcs  and  objefls  dear  ; 
And  have  been  hovering  fo  much  around 
Infernal  darknefs,  and  the  depths  profound  : 
As  a  large  plain  with  cheerful  verdure  filled, 
Can  to  the  eye  relief  and  vigour  yield, 
Which  fome  minute  or  glaring  thing  had  tirM, 
By  being  too  attentively  admirM. 
The  good  and  righteous  re^ofing  lie. 
And  in  earth's  bofom  quietnefs  enjoy; 
As  wary  pilots  cautioufly  feek, 
In  flcrmy  feafons,  fome  well-lhelter'd  creek, 
There  to  partake  of  harmony  and  reft, 
While  dreadful  tempefts  this  low  world  infeft. 
Here  they  are  in  fafe  anchorage ;  and  here 
No  hidden  fhoals,  or  foundering  fands  are  near; 
Freed  from  iniquity's  prevailing  feas, 
They  live  in  calm  ferenity  and  eafe  ; 
No  powerful  temptations  now  can  block 
Their  pafHigc,  or  impel  them  on  fin's  rock. 
But  wx  (hall  very  Ihortly  fee  them  hoife 
Their  flag  of  hope,  which  with  glad  breezes  flics  ; 
R-iding  before  a  kindly  blowing  wind  ; 
Of  worth  atoning,  and  a  loving  mind  ; 
Till  with  the  fails  of  faith  aflTur'd  they  prcfs 
Into  the  port  of  endlefs  happincfs. 
llien  may  the  honour'd,  much  eftccmed  friend, 
The  lady,  for  whom  thcfe  lines  have  been  penn'd  ; 
Rich  in  good  works,  in  heavenly  tempers  great. 
But  with  Chrift's  merit  vaftly  more  complete; 


(  %  ) 

O  may  flie  with  a  favourable  gale. 
Enter  the  harbour,  hke  a  flately  fail, 
Juft  from  a  noble  expedition  come, 
Returned  fuccefsful,  and  in  triumph  home ; 
While  acclamations,  joy,  and  honour,  wait. 
With  fhouts  inceflant,  on  her  lucky  ilate  ! 
While  my  fmall  bark,  attendant  on  the  joy. 
Cheerfully  joining  the  folemnity. 
And  a  partaker  of  the  vidlory ; 
Shall  flowly,  with  a  peaceful  wind, 
Humbly  obfequious  glide  on  behind: 
And  both  in  the  lov'd,  wifh'd-for  haven  reft. 
With  perfedt  blifs,  and  endlefs  fafety  blefs'd. 


ncoooeoes- 


I  cannot  perfuade  myfelfto  clofe  the  folemn  meditations 
among  the  tombs  without  a  view  of  the  Jlarry  hea^ 
vens  that  Jurrounds  us,  which  y  me  thinks,  none  can  be^ 
hold  without  wonder  and  amazement. 


"  When  I  confider  the  heaven's,  the  works  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon 
''  and  the  ftars  which  thou  haft  ordained.  Lord  what  is  man,  that  thou 
"  art  mindful  of  him,  and  the  fon  of  man,  that  thou  vifiteft  him." 

Pfalms  viii.  v.  3  and  4. 


T 


The  following  hymn  was  compofed  by  one  of  the  happieft 
efforts  of  human  ingenuity ,  I  mean  Mr.  Addifon^  in 
his  SpeElatory  vol.vi.  No.  465. 

HE  fpac'ous  firmament  on  high. 
With  all  the  blue  etherial  fl^:y, 
And  fpangled  heav'ns,  a  fliining  frame. 
Their  great  original  proclaim  : 
Th'  unwearied  fun  from  day  to  day, 
Does  his  Creator's  pow'rs  difplay; 
And  publifhes  to  every  land. 
The  work  of  an  Almighty  hand. 
Soon  as  the  evening  lliades  prevail. 
The  mpon  takes  up  the  wondVous  tale; 


(     86    ) 

And  nightly,  to  the  hft'ning  earth. 
Repeats  the  ftory  of  her  birth  ; 
While  all  the  liars  that  round  her  burn. 
And  all  the  planets  in  their  turn. 
Confirm  the  tidings  as  they  roll. 
And  fpread  the  truth  from  pole  to  pole. 
What,  though,  no  real  voice  nor  found 
Amidft  their  radiant  orbs  be  found  ? 
In  rcafon's  ear  they  all  rejoice. 
And  utter  forth  a  glorious  voice^ 
Forever  Ringing  as  they  fliine, 
^he  hand  that  made  us  is  divine. 


.e«>o«oo  J)^;^[^^^iS!^^^^^ 


A  Hymn  for  Chrijlmas  Morning  ; 

Or  may,  with  propriety,  be  ufed  at  any  other   time.     It  has,  in  my 
hearing,  been  fiing  in  fome  churches  in  Ireland. 

AWAKE,  awake,  and  hail  the  morn, 
0\\  vvhich  the  Prince  of  Peace  was  born> 
Let  holy  praife,  each  tongue  employ, 
And  make  each  heart  exult  with  joy. 

Chorus.  Let  all  in  heav'n,  and  all  in  earth. 
Celebrate  the  Saviour's  birth. 

The  God  in  whom  we  live  and  move, 
Forfakes  the  ihining  realms  above. 
Lays  all  his  heav'nly  grandeur  by. 
And  condefcends  for  man  to  die. 

Chorus,  Let  all,  &c. 

See  Gabriel  quits  his  native  fkics. 
And  to  the  favoured  virgin  flies, 
V/ith  welcome  news  her  heart  lie  cheers^ 
And  bids  her  banifh  all  her  fears. 

Chorus.   Let  all,  &c. 

Glory  to  God  the  angels  fing. 
The  heav  ns  with  Hallelujahs  ring; 


(    87    ) 

While  faints  unite,  with  loud  acclaim,; 
To  blefs  the  mighty  Saviour's  name. 

Chorus.  Let  all,  &c. 

Then  let  each  heart  abound  with  joy  j 
Let  praifes  ev'ry  tongue  employ ; 
Let  rich  and  poor,  let  old  and  young. 
United  raife  the  heav'nly  fong. 

Chorus,  Let  all,  &c. 


I  N  this  fmall  coUedtion  of  poems,  I  cannot  perfuade  myfelf  to  pa^ 
over  a  recitation  of  the  folemn  hymn,  ix}."^'^  through  the  ftates  of  Ame- 
rica, on  the  death  of  that  animating,  that  admirable  and  inftfUi5t-i«/e 
divine,  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  with  an  anecdote  of  him- 
This  gentleman,  indeed,  like  his  mailer,  "  went  about  doing  good.*^ 
I  lived  before  and  after  his  deceafc  in  the  city  of  Phiiadejphia,  having 
married  there,  and  remem.ber  it  was  he  who  procured  the  orphan  lioufe 
of  Georgia  to  be  built,  as  alfo  the  college  and  academy  of  Philadel- 
phia— his  oratory  at  that  time  being  powerful  and  his  intereit  great. 
This  I  only  mention  as  a  flcetch  of  his  beneficence,  and  in  honour  cf 
his  memory.  I  lived  in  New-York  a  little  before  he  paid  his  lail  vifit 
to  Bofton,  near  to  which  he  died,  and,  amiong  others,  v/aited  ovt  him  as 
a  vifitor.  The  moment  I  entered  his  apartsnsnt,  he  told  the  gentleman 
who  travelled  with  him^  I  v»^as  like  a  clergyman  of  his  acquaintance^ 
whofe  nam»e  I  have  forgot.  However,  in  the  courfe  of  converfation,he 
told  me  he  was  detained  in  New- York  beyond  his  intended  time,  hMt 
that  Satan  hindered  him.  I  made  anfwer,  it  would  be  a  ftrange  doctrine 
to  fay,  Satan  had  pov/er  over  a  good  man,  to  detain  him  beyond  his 
defire,  or  to  go  where  his  bufmefs  called  him  j  but  he  gave  me  for  an- 
fv/er,  that  when  St.  Paul  would  have  gone  up  to  Jerufalem,  Satan  hin- 
dered him.  I  begged  a  further  illuftration  on  fo  uncommon  a  fubieci  5 
but  his  anfwer  again  was,  "  we  read  fo."  Upon  fcarching  for  the  text 
i  found  it  in  i  Theflalonians,  ii.  18.  '^  Wherefore  we  would  have  come 
"  ufito  you  (even  I  Paul)  once  and  again;  but  Satan  hindered  us*''' 
The  plural  fpoken  of  in  this  text,  was  SUvanus  and  Timotheus.  I 
would  be  happy  to  fee  a  comment  on  this  text,  illuftriiting  how  far  Sa- 
tan may  have  a  power  to  hurt  the  work  of  God  in  fome  cafes,  by  fonie 
able  and  worthy  divine.  The  hymn  mentioned  beforp,  and  fung  throuG;li 
the  continent,  on  the  deceafc  of  Mr.  Whitefield,  may  be  found  in  i)r, 
Watts's  Hymns,  book  ii.  hymn  the  63,  vi?;. 

ARK  !   from  the  tombs  a  doleful  found, 
My  ears  attend  the  cry ; 


H 


(     88     ) 

Ye  living  men,  come  view  the  ground^ 
Where  you  muft  Ihortly  He. 

Princes,  this  clay  mull  be  your  bed, 

In  fpite  of  all  your  towers  ; 
The  tall,  the  wife,  the  rev'rend  head, 

Muft  lie  as  low^  as  ours. 

Great  God  !  is  this  our  certain  doom  ? 

And  are  we  ftill  fecure  ? 
Still  walking  downward  to  our  tomb, 

And  yet  prepare  no  more  ? 

Grant  us  the  pow'rs  of  quickening  grace. 
To  fit  our  fouls  to  fly  ;  ' 

Then,  when  we  drop  this  dying  flelh. 
We'll  rife  above  the  Iky. 

•3:^  N.  }].  Should  the  v/riter  of  thcfc  lines  be  in  the  city,  he  would, 
v^ith  pleafure,  wait  on  any  fubfcriber,  to  inftrutSl  them  in  the  proper 
tunes  for  the  piece  on  creation,  the  Chriftmas  hymn,  and  the  above  fu- 
neral thought,  if  not  engaged  in  bufuiefs. 

• '---^sC2SS^<2St:^'""' ■ 

On  the  Neglect  of  Poor    Relations. 

**  The  Poor  is  f>parated fnm  his  neighbour,''^     Prov.  xix.  7. 

IN  pafling  thro'  the  troubled  maze  of  life. 
We  fometimes  are  in  joy,  fometimes  in  fh'ifc, 
Sometimes  we  fhine,  with  blcfhngs  compafsM  round, 
Again,  no  mark  of  comfort  can  be  found  ; 
Thus  Joseph,  fometimes  in  a  cave  is  ibid, 
Again,  youMl  next  the  throne  his  face  behold  ; 
So  Ibange,  our  fortune  docs  our  friends  furprife, 
When  rich  they  know  us,  but  when  \)ooy  deipilc. 
So  flrangcly  do  wc  fee  the  face  of  things, 
Princes  degraded,  beggars  reign  as  kings. 
This  day  ca(t  down,  to-morrow  1  may  (liinc, 
Alas!  then  on  my  fhite  do  not  repine, 
ril  fearch  the  woods,  and  travel  cv'ry  fold, 
In  hopes  fome  comfort  to  my  heart  they'll  yield, 
Perhaps  my  friends  with  comfort  may  return,- 
Nor  always  cafl:  mc  oif,  nor  hear  mc  mourn. 


(    89    ) 

Love  makes  true  friendfhip,  th'  comfort  of  our  lifc^ 

Will  banifii  hatred,  drive  away  flrife  ; 

Yet  friends  in  wealth,  confider  my  eftate, 

And  think  I  yet  may  have  a  better  fate. 

'Tis  God  can  make  his  face  on  us  to  fhine  ; 

For  this  we  know,  his  ways  are  all  divine, 

--CSS^C^S*'- — — 

Poetic  Prayer. — Compofed  on  the  times. 

IT  is  the  beauties  of  poetic  fire, 
That  fills  the  foul  with  heav'nly  defirc. 
Of  late,  how  dreadful  is  the  fires, 
The  notice  of  the  flates  requires  ; 
And  lately  how  did  ficknefs  dire, 
Occaflon  thoufands  to  expire  ; 
So  many  hurried  to  their  death. 
Prepared  or  not  their  dying  breath.     * 
What  man  calls  chance  is  Providence, 
In  pure  religion's  proper  Ten  fe. 
Avert  thy  judgments,  oh  our  God, 
Tho'  we  deferve  it,  fpare  thy  rod  ; 
So  (hall  we  look  unto  thy  throne. 
Make 'our  diftrefs  unto  thee  known. 
Plead  for  averting  judgments  now. 
And  pfoflrate  low  before  thee  bow. 
We'll  foon  begin  another  year. 
Oh  God  !  then  bring  us  to  thee  near. 
The  feafons  then  v/ith  pleafure  roll. 
And  make  earth  heav'n  from  pole  to  pole. 
O  fave  us  from  thy  judgments  dire, 
Make  us  thy  own,  is  our  defire. 
Put  our  diflrefTes  far  away. 
Lord  of  the  worlds  above,  we  pray  ; 
And  if  thy  judgments  go  abroad. 
We'll  fupplicate  thy  mercy  Lord. 
Hide  our  fins  by  thy  facred  death. 
Thy  praife  we'll  fing  with  our  laft  breath, 
O  God  of  Love,  make  us  thy  own, 
And  all  thy  heav'nly  ways  we'll  own. 
Serve  thee,  whilft  here  we  flay  on  earthy 
And  live  to  God  by  heav'nly  birth. 
M 


(     9°     ) 

Glory  to  God,  the  angels  Hng, 
Glory  to  God,  from  licav'n  we  bring  ; 
Praile  to  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
And  Holy  Ghofl,  all  three  in  one  ; 
So,  when  this  globe  of  earth^s  no  more, 
We'll  praife  th'  Eternal  evermore. 


rcoooocto- 


Thoughts  071  Mou7it  Vernan^    the  feat   of  his  Excellency 
George  AVashington. 

On  his  retirement  from  the  nolfe  and  buftlc  of  tumultuous  life,  I  cannot,  on 
this  occafion,  refrain  from  looking  into,  and  Iranfcribing  the  lines  by  Mr, 
IVIofes  Brown,  fpcaking  of  the  benefits  of  folitud^,  and  the  happinefs  of 
a  country  life. 

O  Solitude  !  blcfl  flate  of  life  below, 

Friend  to  our  thought  and  balm  of  every  woe  ; 

Where  luft  no  objeds  for  his  fires  can  gain  ; 

And  pride  wants  gazers  to  admire  her  train. 

C,  far  from  cities,  my  abode  remove. 

To  realms  of  innocence,  of  peace  and  love  ! 

Thus  livM  the  patriarchial  race  of  old, 

Kings  of  the  verdant  plain  and  fleecy  fold  ! 

By  angels  honoured,  vifited,  carefs'd. 

Nor  feldom  with  th'  Almighty's  prefence  blefs'd. 

I  compoj'ed  the  followmg  poc77i  in  D^ce7?iber^  1796,  the' 
his  excellency  did  not  rcfigii  hisjeat^  as  Prefidcnt^  till  Mai'ch 
^th,  1797- 

ATTEND  my  mufe,  while  I  attempt  to  fmg, 
And  to  my  fond  imagination  bring,    . 
That  retreat,  fo  rural  at  Mount  Vernon, 
All  that  pafs  by,  with  plenfure  looketh  on. 
With  wonder  gaze,  admire,  and  mull  lee 
Suchneatnefs  and  grand  buildings,  here  there  be, 
Whicli  firike  the  eye,  and  ever  pleafe  the  mind, 
Bccaulc  in  it  good  IVafiingtoii  wc  iind. 
The  people's  choice  the  friend  of  all  mankind. 
Sure  no  plealure's  greater  on  the  earth  below, 
Than  what  to  dear  retirement  we  owe. 
O  for  a  Zoar,  or  place  of  dear  retreat, 
>Vhich  may  contain  the  fwccts  of  life  complcnt, 


1 


I 


(    9'     ) 

Ev'n  Mount  Vernon,  is  the  retired  i]Dot 

Where  dwells  the  virtuous  ftatefman,  if  ncA  forgot. 

Tir'd  with  the  tumults  of  the  noifylife, 

He  now  retires  to  live  from  ev'ry  llrife  : 

So  when  this  earthly  fcene  of  things  is  o'er, 

Together  with  the  great  ones  and  the  poor  ; 

Then  heav'nly  blifs,  and  joys  beyond  the  grave^ 

Awaits  the  real  chriftian,  him  to  fave. 

May  fweet  retirement  lead  up  to  heav'n,. 

Which  to  the  juft  will  furely  be  giv'n  ; 

And  there  to  fing,  the  praife  of  God  mod  high 

With  happinefs  compleat,  and  heav'nly  joy. 

Obfervations  on  America;  compofed  at  the  time  of  the  great 
fire  at  Savannah^  in  Georgia^  and  other  places^  at  the 
approach  of  the  new  year ^    1797.  * 

Write  of  time  fo  lately  pafsM, 
\Vith  thoughts  of  dreadful  fires. 
But  hope  our  lot  is  better  caH:, 
Which  the  new  year  requires  o. 

Tho'  days  of  lofs  did  us  invade, 

In  time  that's  pafTed  o'er, 
Yet  to  thcfe  flates  joy  will  be  made 

By  peace  and  plenty  more. 

May  ev'ry  blifs  our  land  furround. 

And  bring  us  happinefs ; 
Here  if  an  enemy  be  found, 

We'll  banifti  him  from  hence. 

Sing  heav'nlymufein  this  new  year> 

And  fend  good  Prefident, 
So  fhall  we  banifli  fordid  fear, 

And  learn  to  be  content. 

Whate'er  is  done  in  Heav'n  above. 

Or  on  this  globe  below, 
Is  furely  done  to  gain  our  love. 

Lord  teach  us  thee  to  know. 

This  great  and  rifmg  land  appears. 
Like  land  of  Canaan  oldj 


(    90 

So  great  Its  grown  thefe  latter  years, 
By  aged  men,  Vm.  told. 

Some  of  all  nations  to  us  came, 
To  make  their  dwelling  here, 

Now  fee  how  great  thefe  people's  name 
To  ftrangers  does  appear. 

0  may  piofperity  be  found. 
E'er  in  this  land  to  dwell, 

So  that  true  happinefs  abound, 
My  mufe  with  joy  may  tell. 

A  fair  American  I  met, 
As  I  walk'd  on  my  way, 

1  gaz'd,  I  lik'd,  but  did  not  fret, 

Tho'  Sylvia  look'd  fo  gay. 

Ye  Sylvan  nymphs,  and  lads  fo  gay, 

Enjoy  th'  enfuing  year, 
Pafs  ail  your  virtuous  hours  away, 

As  you  have  nought  to  fear. 

May  ev'ry  judgment  difappear, 
And  nought  but  joy  be  found. 

So  v/e'll  be  happy  thro'  the  year, 
And  ev'ry  good  abound. 

Let  mirth  attend  our  circling  years,     "^ ' 

And  all  the  feafon^s  roll, 
Nor  will  we  live  in  fordid  fears. 

From  the  north  or  fouth  pcle. 

We'll  fmgthe  praife  of  God  moft  high, 

And  banifli  vice  away  ; 
So  (hall  we  e'er  be  to  God  nigh. 

In  this  our  time  and  day. 

Praife  God  ye  feafons,  heav'n,  and  earth, 

And  all  that  ye  contain  ; 
Revolving  years,  he  gave  you  birth,. 

And  ever  will  remain. 


m^ 


(    93    ) 

An  Acrojlic. 
H  ISTTcY,  of  worthies,  do  record,  1 

I  n  real  truth  by  men  adorM.  > 

S  uch  is  the  theme  of  our  accord.  J 

E  xcept  we  hear,  and  fee  fuch  things, 

X  anthus*  flies  thro' our  flates  with  wings, 

C  onvincing  us  in  thefe  our  times, 

E  ngaging  virtue  in  our  climes; 

L  et  latter  days  our  wifdom  guide, 

L  et  prudence  ilill  be  on  our  fide. 

E  xcellency  is  juftly  giv'n, 

N  one  reads,  but  judge  it  is  from  heav'n- 

C  ontentthen  may  our  people  be, 

Y  ou  fee  the  good,  'tv/ill  make  you  free. 

J  oin  all  good  with  our  happy  flate  ; 

0  may  we  virt'ous  be  and  great. 

H  eav'n  then  will  blefs  both  great  and  poor, 
N  one  need  complain  upon  our  (bore. 

A  mazing  fcenes  are  brought  about, 
D  emonftrate  of  our  good  throughout, 
A  nd  may  heav'n  fliine  on  this  our  land 
M  ay  ev^y  good  be  near  at  hand ; 
S  uch  happinefs  we  may  command. 

P  refide,  thou  good  and  gracious  one, 
R  egardthouflill,  the  good  that's  known, 
E  xceeding  all  in  virtue's  ways, 
S  ure  that  will  make  us  happy  days. 

1  n  juflice  and  truth  near  the  throne, 
D  emand  our  grateful  hearts  alone. 
E  ngland,  and  France,  with  others,  fee, 
N  o  ftates  on  earth  better  agree, 
T  o  blefs  us  in  our  liberty. 

O  for  a  pen  and  hand  to  write  ! 

F  or  themes  fublime,  I  would  indite. 


'\ 


} 


$  *  XANTHUS,  one  of  the  horfes  of  Achilles,    A  fit  reprefentatxon  cf 

quick  intelligence. 


V      94      j 

T  he  hifliory  of  all  times  declare, 

H  eav*n  blelTes  th'  upright  and  fin  cere, 

E  ngage  our  thoughts  with  utmoflcare. 

U  ndaunted  may  we  e'er  be  found, 

N  one  (hould  be  frighted  on  our  ground  ; 

I  n  ev'ry  arduous,  fcene  of  things, 

T  he  prudent,  wifdom  to  us  brings, 

E  ngage  my  mind,  engage  my  care, 

D  eraign  what's  juftice,  acfl  fin  cere. 

S  uch  honour  to  our  peace  be  giv'n, 
T  hat  we  may  fee,  it  is  from  heav'n. 
A  nd  (hould  their  trouble  cv*n  arife, 
T  he  Prefident  will  a.0:  what's  wife. 
E  ngage  all  ftates  with  wifdom's  care-, 
S  uch  part  to  acT:,  jufl:,  good  and  rare. 

0  for  fuch  wifdom  as  may  guide, 
F  or  us  in  counfel  to  prefide. 

A  11  ye  that  wifli  this  country  well, 
M  ay  here  in  peace  and  fafcty  dwell, 
E  urope  itfeif,  can't  happier  be, 
K  cjolcing  in  poflerity. 

1  tho'  a  ftr anger  in  this  land, 

C  an  view  the  bad,  good  underfland, 
A  ndpraife  our  laws  that  us  command. 

THE    END, 


} 


rr3~  Being  unemployed  at  prcfcnt,  fliould  any  of 
iny  kind  fubfcribers  know  of  any  vacancy,  as  tutor 
in  fume  gentleman *s  family,  a  place  in  fome  public 
oHice,  genteel  compting  houfe,  or  vacancy  for  a 
fchool  maftcr,  the  author  will  be  grateful  for  the  fa- 
vour of  acquainting  liim  of  it.  He  may  be  heard  of» 
by  applying  to  Mr.  Matiiew  Carey,  of  Market- 
ftrcct,  bookfcllcr. 


^<i^Ql^Qi^^g^^.,.^^^^g^Qt^^ 


CONTENTS. 

HERVEY's  meditations  among  the  tombs,  —  -  i 
Poem  on  the  ilarry  heavens,  --  —  -----^85: 
A  hymn  for  Chriftmas  day,  --------  —  86 

Introdudlion  to  a  folemn  hymn  among  the  tombs, 
fung  through  the  ftates  of  America,  on  occa- 
fion  of  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield's  deceafe, 
near  Bdfton,  --  —  _---_----_»_  87 

Funeral  hymn,  -----------_._.  ibid. 

On  the  negledt  of  poor  relations,  -    ------88 

Poetic  prayer  on  the  prefent  times,  -    -----  89 

Thoughts  on  Mount  Vernon,  the  feat  of  his  Ex- 
cellency George  Wafhington,  late  Prefident  of 
the  United  States,   ---  —  ---  —  ---90 
Obfervations  on  America,    -    ---------^i 

An  ACROSTIC  on  his  Excellency  John  Adams, 
Prefident  of  the  United  States   of  America,  93 


SUBSCRIBERS'    NAMES. 


A. 

JOHN  ADAMS, 
Wm.  Alh bridge, 
Jofeph   Afhbridge, 
Robert  S.  Adams, 
Thomas  Aliibone, 
George  Allen, 
John  Andrews,  profef- 

for,  college, 
George  Afton, 
Lawrence  Alwine, 
Thomas  Auftin, 
J.  Alld ridge, 


Mifs  Nancy  Armftrong, 
John  W.  Ardis, 
David  Alder, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Adi, 
St.  Lawrence  Adams, 
John  Aihburner, 
James  Anderfon, 
William  Abbott, 
John  Alexander, 
John  Anderfon, 
Ifaac  Arden, 
Mrs.  Sufan  Allen, 
Hannah  Auftin, 


Samuel  Axford, 
John  Amit, 
Rev.  J.  Abercrombie, 
Jofeph  M.  Afhmead, 
William  Alexander. 

B. 
Edward  D.  Burke,pro- 

feflbr,  college, 
Alexander  Brymer, 
Ifaac  Boyer, 
Andrew    Bayard, 
William  Buckly, 
T,  Bqon,  cuftomhoufe. 


^^^^ 


n 


SUBSCRIBERS'   NAMES, 


Ceorge  Blight,  jun, 
Francis  Brown, 
John  Bohlen, 
Paul  Brown, 
Wiliiam  Bethel, 
Bowyer  Brook, 
Thomas  Bleit, 
John  Barkley, 
Jofeph  Borrowsi 
Jac.  Benninghover  Jun. 
C.  Bidden, 
Fennel  Beale, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bryan, 
Wiih'am  BJakcy,  jun. 
Daniel  Erodhead, 
George  F.  Baflet, 
i\uguitine  Boufquet, 
Wil^am  Booth, 
I.  B.  Bond, 
Jofeph  Brittin, 
William  Belk, 
Thcnnas  Bradford, 
John  Bryne, 
Charles  B.  Brown, 
John   Bedford, 
Mifs  Rachel  Bamore, 
William  Y.  Birch, 
Abnor  Briggs, 
John  Brailley, 
William  Blackburn, 
Gordon  M.  Blifs, 
Jofiah  Baldwin, 
Robert  Bovman. 
Jofeph  Burden, 
Culpeper  Bridges, 
Charles  Bitters, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Barnhill, 
Mary  Barker, 
B,  Bailey, 
John  Bacon, 
Caleb  Birchall, 
George  Bond, 
William  Bcalty, 
Jofeph  Boj>g8, 
WilHain  Bingfiam,  cfq. 
Hugh  Boyd, 
Hcniy  Beck, 
Thomas  Bradley, 
Jofeph  Batt, 
I'.  Bond, 
Samuel  Bcngc, 
Robert  Brevvton, 


James  Eently, 
Andrew  Brown, 
Charles  S.  Bunting, 
Wilham  Blair, 
Robert  Blocr, 
Thomas  Barileman, 
Abraham   Bradley, 
George  Biddle, 
Robert  Bayne, 
Mrs.  Eliza   Ruffy, 
James  Boyd, 
Mifs  Byvank, 
Ricliard  Babe, 
Robert  R  Bail, 
Jofeph  Boucher, 
Robert  Bridges, 
Timothy  Bloodworth, 
Eliza  Budd, 
Richard  Butts, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Bulgen, 
Leonard  Brown, 
Mrs. Margaret  Barclay, 
William  Brown, 
Jofeph  B.  Barrv, 
Rev.  Robert  Blackwell, 
John  Bordley, 
Edward  Braisford, 
Mrs.  Brinton, 
Jofeph  Brown, 
Patrick  Brady. 

C. 
Thomas  Canby,  jun. 
James  Cooper,  jun, 
George  Chambers, 
Samuel  Cox, 
M.  Campbell, 
Jofeph  Clark, 
John  Clarke, 
Samuel  Cox, 
Charles  Cift, 
John  Cooke, 
Garrat  Cottriiigcr, 
Mrs.  Cothnean, 
John  Coylc, 
[ohn  Carrel, 
William    Broafdill, 
A.  Cummings  Craig, 
\^'illi:^m  Currie, 
Mrs.  Eleanor  Couflens, 
Benjamin    Chapman, 
Jolm  Collard, 
Janic;;  Cor  ley  ^ 


James  C,  Coppcri 
Jolhua  Clibborn, 
Richard  Cufack, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Carey, 
James  Carfon, 
Robert  Caldwell, 
John  Chandler, 
Richard  Carpenter, 
Hugh  Cooper, 
Hugh  B.  Cochran, 
George  Caruthers, 
Robert  Cor,  jun, 
Simeon  Conger, 
Lctitia  Canty, 
Mrs.  Bell  Coh«n, 
ifaac  Cox, 
John  Chalk, 
John  Caldwell, 
Evan  Clement, 
Robeit  Crozicr, 
Samuel  Campbell, 
Thomas  Carradine, 
Charles  Can-;pbell, 
Mathew  Carey, 
Mrs.  Mary  Corken,- 
C.  Carmenticr, 
Mrs.J,  Crawford, 
John  Crawley, 
James  Crafwell, 
John  Cox, 
Samuel  Cummins, 
William  Cohoun, 
James  A.  ClaypooIf» 
John  Campbell, 
James  Cox, 
Antoine  Cofle, 
J.  M.  Connor, 
Mrs.  C.  A.  Commyns, 
William  Clark, 
Jacob  Clarkfon, 
James  Crawford, 
John  Cavan, 
William  Chadwick, 
Jacob  Chryftler, 
C.  Cunningham, 
William  Clare, 
Jofeph  W.  Carteret, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Cuihbcrf, 
Mis.  Currie, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Cuthbcrt, 
Caikley  Collins, 
Denis  Collins, 


SUBSCRIBERS*  NAMES. 


Mrs.  Hannah  Callalay, 
William  Crimpton, 
Mrs.  H.  Conftantia, 
Hugh  Carney, 
Jchn  Corner, 
Patrick  Connelly, 
William  Caribn, 
James  Convy, 
Alexander  Cook, 
James  Connor, 
Jofeph  T.  Clement, 
Abraham   Cohen,  efq. 
A.  Cummings  Craig, 
Jofeph  Cureven. 

D. 
James  Davifon,  pro- 

feflbr,  college, 
Rumford  Dawes, 
George  Dorman,  cuf- 

tom  houfe, 
William  Davis, 
Chriftian  Duey, 
James  Dougherty, 
John  Davifon, 
George  Davis, 
John  Duffield, 
Jofliua  Dorfey, 
P.  Dick. 

James  Dougherty,  jun, 
H.  Drozjjun. 
Samuel  Denman, 
Mrs.  Mary  Dallas, 
Thomas  Dennis, 
Thomas  Dartnell, 
R.  C.  &  A.  Degrove, 
Francis  Daymon, 
Jacob  Dietrick, 
Mrs.  Ann  Dickinfon, 
T.  Dougherty, 
John  Dugan, 
Robert  H.  Dunkin, 
Eliz.  Dorfey, 
Andrew  Douglafs, 
Jofeph  I.  De  Viar,  con- 
ful  general  of  Spain, 
Sarah  Dickinfop, 
William  Davifon, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Davis, 
Samuel  S.  Dickinfon, 
^        Virginia, 
pphn  Dennis, 
Gouin  Dufiefi 


John  Duncan, 
John  Darrogh, 
Nicholas  Diehl,  jum 
W.  A.   Duer, 
Jchn  Dorrers, 
Matthias  Delhongj 
John  Dougherty, 
John  DempfTe, 
James  Dougherty, 
Samuel  Dun, 
William  A.  Duer, 
William  Dupuy, 

E. 
Jacob  Edwards, 
Jofeph  Ely, 
Thomas  Elder, 
Jonathan  Edwards, 
Rev.  John  Ewing,  pro- 

feffor,  college, 
G.  Eddy, 
Jacob  Earneft, 
Thomas  Ennis, 
Thomas  Elliott, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Evans, 
Evan  Evans, 
John  lEly, 
George  Emlen, 
Mrs.  Mary  Evans, 
Cadwalader  Evans, 
Samuel  Elliot, 
James  Edger, 
James  Engle, 
William  Ewing,  attor- 
ney at  law. 
F. 
F.  Feely,  college, 
Meffrs.  Frefnaye,  &Co. 
Mrs.  Sufanna  Forefler, 
Bernard  Fearis, 
John  Feagan, 
Nicholas  Fagan, 
Michael  Fagan, 
P.  Fcrral, 
Caleb  Foulk,  jun. 
William  Franan, 
John  Farrell, 
Matthew  French, 
Benjamin  Fcrgufon, 
Mrs.MargaretFenneU* 
William  French, 
Jolhua  Field, 
John  Folwell, 

N 


A.  J.  Faivre, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Flicker, 
Richard  Folwell, 
John  Fairbairn, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Fries, 
James  Furre, 
Thomas  Francis, 
Mrs.  Ann  Francis, 
Samuel  Fox, 
Peter  Fearon, 
William  S.  Fiiher, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Folwell, 
Sarah  Fiz, 
George     F.    Albert!, 

phyfician, 
Mrs.  Phebe  Flanagan, 
Sarah  Fiz, 
Ebenezer  Fergufon, 
Staniflas  Foucher, 
James  Fcrgufon, 
Mrs.  Lydia  Fitzgerald, 
James  Finley, 
Chevalier  Freire,  Por- 

tuguefe  minifter, 
John  Y.  Forfyth, 
Arthur  R.  Fitzhugh. 

G. 
Charles  Goldfborougb, 
Anthony  Gale, 
Jacob  Gilbert, 
Mrs.  Green, 
Jacob  Grace, 
James  Gillingham, 
Thomas  Goodam, 
Thomas  Gibfon, 
Mrs.C.  Greblc, 
Jacob  Gettig, 
Humphris  Green, 
John  Gould, 
Michael  Gravenftine, 
Jofeph  GrofF, 
Miles  Griffith, 
John  Gouge, 
David  Greg, 
Benjamin  Gardner, 
Mrs.  Gillow, 
Edward  Greer, 
John    Gill, 

Meffrs.  P.W.Gallaudct 
James  Greenlcaf> 
Levi  Garret, 
Thomas  GrcA'Cs, 


SUB 

John  Grelner, 
John  Giilffpie, 
William   Gnffiths, 
V\  illiaiU  Gethon, 
Caleb  Griffiths, 
John  Graham, 
W.G.irdiner,  phyfician 

Kew-York, 
Mr-.^GafKill, 
William  Gregory, 

H. 
Peter  Hagner,  efq.  war 

office, 
William  Harkins, 
William    tiuckcl, 
William  Hamiltcn, 
Ifaac  Harvey,  jun. 
Mrs.  iM'.ry  Hyberger, 
]ohn  S.  Hiiiman, 
\Villiara  Hall, 
James  HortuicJ<:, 
John  riolls, 
C.vidHall, 
T'iomas  Howard, 
Thomas   Hardenbery, 
Kus    Harry, 
Mrs.  Mari'ha  Hunter, 
Samuel  Hcri>, 
'William  Ho'derncfs, 
Thomas  Hockley, 
John  K.   Helmiitt, 
John  Haines, 
John  N.  Hagenau, 
Mrs.  Jennet  Hamilton, 
Henry  Flcndcrfcn, 
Mrs.  H  mnah  Holland, 
William  Hembcl, 
John  O.  Harrifon, 
John  Hclfenftein, 
James  Hen^icrfon, 
William  Hudlcn, 
John  Houlion, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Hahn, 
William  Hiv^glefwoirh 
Samuel  Hyndman, 
G.  Hamilton, 
Charles   Harris, 
John  Hughes,  , 

Mahlonliutchinfcn, 
Samuel    Ha/.khurft, 
George  Huinphrys, 
Tetcr  Upward, 


SCRJBERS'   NAMES, 
Edward  F.  Hughes,  Jofiah  Jeancs 


Thomas  Harper, 
Brightwcll  Hibbs, 
Mrs.  Ann  Hoops, 
J.  Hardy, 
iibraham  Hilyard, 
Rev.  William  Hendel, 
Mrs.  C.  Hamelin, 
Jofeph  Hough, 
Mifs  Eliza  How.cl, 
Mrs.  A.  Hariifon, 
Sufanna  HoiFman, 
"N.  Hammond, 
Thomas  Hamihcn,  city 
Wafhington, 

J.  B.  Horn, 

J.  H.  Hcbarr, 

']'.  Hawkins, 

Conrad  Hanfe,. 

Jchn  Hallr/.vell, 

ISflby  Hickman, 
Samuel  Harriion, 

David  Humphreys, 
John   Hindman, 
Mrs. Emily  Hopkinfon, 

Robert  Hill, 

Ebenczcr   Hazard, 

Dr.  Robert  Harris, 

Mr.  Jofeph  Huddell, 

Alexander  Flejiiphill, 

Mrs.  !ria'.vkins, 

Mrs.  Hamman:^, 

Mathc'.v  Hall, 

Thomas  Hickey, 

John  Hanlev. 
1.  &'  J. 

John  Jennings,  war  of- 
fice, 

Richard  Johnfon, 

Peter  Joyce, 

•Rolx-rt  Jones  Heath, 

John  Jones, 

Ifaac  C.  Jones, 

William   Johnllon, 

Thorn :;s  Jaquet, 

Richard  Jolliif, 

Jeremiah  Jarman, 

Edvvard.Jones, 

l^avld  Jones, 

Robert  Jack, 

William  H.  Jones, 

James  J*gJ;5| 


Ifracl  J  ones, 
Jeremiah  Johnf.onj 
Thomas  C.  Jamcs» 
Ciialklev  Tainef,  New- 

'York, 
Mrs.  Hetty  Invin, 
Robert  Jolinfton, 
Mrs.  Jar-e  Jackfon, 
James  JackHm, 
George  Jackfon, 
William  JoUvi 
Jnmes  Irvine, 
Vn  illiam  Inncj, 
John  IndvCepe, 
William  Inr.es, 
James  Jones, 
John  Johnftcn, 
Mrs.  Prudence  Izatt, 
William  B.  Johnllon, 
John  John  lie  p., 
Thomas  Jones, 
Kobert  Henry  Jackfcn. 

K. 
Francis  Kennedy,  Ipnd 

office, 
Henry    Lcv/is   Kean, 

Sur.  Gem-ral's  ofHcc , 
George  B.  Keilv, 
Frederick    Kidelman, 
Matthias  Kcef^y, 
D.iniel  E.  King, 
William  l^i-k  pat  lick, 
Michael  Kraffr, 
Peter  Keenan, 
George  Keiicar, 
Adam  Koningip^cher, 
Mrs.  Catharine  Kuhn, 
Ann  Kennedy, 
George  Kipipele, 
Andrew  K I  ingle, 
Vv'illiam  Knox, 
Mrs.  M.  Kintzing, 
Thomas  Kelly, 
William  Kelly, 
Mrs.  D.  Kirkman,    , 
Jolin*Kenrick,    ;    --^ 
George  Kemblc.^nlW 
Jacob  Knorr,        .-  •- 
Major  Michael  Kltt^ 
Jolt-ph  Kane,         ^ 
Benjamin  ICxic, 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


John  Kean, 
Dennis  Karr, 
Mrs.  Deborah  Kuhl, 
Thomas  Keetb, 
Samuel  Kelfe, 
Mrs.  D.  Ann  Kerlin, 
John  Ki,i.?, 
Wiliiam  Knox. 

:L. 
N,   Lufborougb,  land 

office, 
Sampfon  Levi,  lawyer, 
Richard  T.  Leech, 
Vv'iiiiam  Lawlefs, 
Matthias   Ludwi^, 
Aaron  Levy, 
Abner  Lewis, 
John  Lorain, 
John  Li  I  tier, 
Mrs.  Mary  Linn, 
Wiliiam  Lyle, 
Richard  Lee, 
Jofeph  Lownes, 
Mordecai  Lewis, 
Edward  Lynch, 
Mifs  Mary  Lippincott, 
A.   Loveland, 
David  Lapfley, 
Mrs.   Abigal    Lowry, 
Benjamin  Lyndall, 
John  Lawrence, 
A^ndrew  Leinau, 
John  Laub, 
Jclliua  Longfireth, 
John  L.  Leib, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Lawfon, 
Mary  Lott, 
Mofes  Levy, 
Peter  Leo, 
Charles  C.  Ludwig, 
Sir  Pxobert  Lifton,  En- 

gliih  Minifter, 
Thomas  F.  Lawler, 
Robert  Linton, 
John  Lyndall, 
Patrick  Linehan, 
Mils  Eliza  Learning, 
M'homas  Larkum, 
Jofeph  S.  Lewis, 

«athaniel  Lewis, 
owery  Holden, 
James  Latimer,  jun. 


Mrs.  Margaret  Lownes 
Edward  Lucos, 
Mr.'..  Eliza   Lewis, 
William  Lintcn. 

M. 
Patrick  M^Gou ran, 

college, 
J.  M'Ki^ck,  receiver 

general's  ofnce, 
Ephiaim  Morton,  land 

office, 
John  AverellM'Cliire, 
James    ^1o  n  k  h  o  u  f*", 
Edward  M'Dumett, 
Charles  MalTey, 
Ifaac  Morton, 
Robert  M'Elhenney, 
John  M.  6aul, 
Daniel  Murgatroyd, 
V;iliiam  Mann, 
Thomas   Macky,   efq. 
Mahlon  Milner,' 
William  Murdoch, 
S.  Milner, 
John  Micklejohn, 
Maurice  Moloney, 
Mrs.  Mary   Miiian, 
Daniel  Middah, 
William  MCally, 
Andrew  Mein, 
Mordecai  M'Glathery, 
Jofeph  L  Miller, 
Richard  Mares, 
David  MCormick, 
Patrick  Mahoney, 
Neal  M'Gee, 
Bernard  M'Mahon, 
John  M^Elwee, 
James  Matthews, 
John  Morgan, 
\Viiiiam  Miller, 
Bernard  Mehon, 
Jacob  Martin, 
John  M*Mullin, 
John  W.  Morrell,  jun. 
G.  MCallmont, 
Mrs,  Malthy, 
Jofeph  Mcrrefield, 
Benjamin  M' EI  toy, 
William  Maghee, 
John  Murray, 
Mrs.  Mary  M'AUcfter, 


Mrs.  Sara!]  M«Far!an> 
James  M^Clintuck, 
John  Mversi 
Jofeph  '  B.  ■  M^Kean, 

counfellor  at  law, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Metleck, 
John  L  Malcom, 
Andrew  M'Cara, 
Vi.  W.  MahleRberg, 
John  Murdock, 
William  Mafter, 
George  Mofer, 
Wiliiam  Meredith, 
Henry  Moore, 
James  Miller, 
Robert  C.  Martin, 
Mrs.  Mibfan-i  MarlieP;, 
James  Milnor, 
Edmond  Milne, 
A.  Martin,  member  of 

Congrefs, 
William  M<Murtie, 
Duncan  M* Lines, 
Ebenezer  Mathefon, 
Mrs.  AnnM'Cormick^ 
William^  M'Dougall, 
Pvobert  MofFett, 
Mrs.  Elfe  Monroe, 
Tames  Moi  an, 
Robert  xMiller, 
Henry  Meyers, 
John  Maybin, 
White  Matlack,  jun-* 
John  Morgan, 
Samuel  Meredith, 
Mrs.  Mary  Martin, 
AJcxander  Miller, 
William    M'Laws^ 
Abel  Marple, 
Jofeph  Marfhall, 
JohnM^Ncely, 
John  M'Fee, 
Mrs.  Moylen, 
Thomas  Marfhall, 
Simon  Meflenger, 
John  M'Dermot, 
John  McDonnell, 
Ax\n  M'Pherfon, 
Henry  Mitchell, 
Henry  Miller, 
Robert  MarHiall, 
Mrs.  Jane  Malcolm; 


SUBSCRIBERS*   NAMES. 


Mrs.  Mary  Mifflin, 
Hugh  Moriron> 
John  Munn, 
James  M*Ginnes, 
Thomas  M<Collorai 
Henry  Monro, 
John  M'Crea, 
John  M'Euan, 
Henry  Moliere, 
Charles  M^Alerter, 
William  Mackenzie, 
Mrs.  Miles, 
Jofeph  Morris, 
Andrew  Mitchell, 
Samuel  Merrick, 
Neal  M'Mullin. 
James   M'DonncU, 
James  Mafflt, 
Andrew  Mitchell, 
KoWert  M' Adams, 
David  M'Kenney. 

N. 
Jofeph   Nourfe,  efq. 
John  Newbold, 
William  Newel, 
Michael  Newbold, 
John  Needman, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Nicholas, 
IRoberr  Norris, 
Thoma>  Newton, 
Sanv.icl  Nightlinger, 
Frederick    Newinann, 
Mrs,  Mary   Ncwhold, 
Mrs.  Noble, 
Jofeph  North, 
i^ayfe  Newcomb,  jun. 
Mrs.  M.  Newman, 
John  Nixon, 
Andrew  Neilfon. 

O. 
Mrs.  S.  Ommenfeller, 
John  Oldden, 
James  Oellers, 
John  Qtr, 

Mrs.  Eleanor  Odlin, 
William  Old, 
Ifaac  Oakford, 
Jofeph  Ogilby. 

P. 
R.  Patterfon,  profeflbr, 

college, 
R.  Patterfon,  jun. 


R.  Patron, 

William  Parker,  fec*ry 

general's  office, 
John  Philips, 
Joffph  Parry, 
Ephraim  Pitman, 
David  Parry, 
Th<5ma&  Palmer, 
William  Phares, 
Mrs.  Catherine  Plmblc 
John  Potter, 
Thomas  Parkinfon, 
Daniel  Parry, 
Ifa  Pearfon, 
John  M.  Price, 
Robert  Poalk, 
John  Phile. 
Samuel  Pancoaft, 
Thomas  PaiTmorc, 
Alexander  Pope, 
Mrs.  Sufanna  Peak, 
Ralph  Peacock, 
Mifs  Patterfon, 
Mrs.  Sufannah  Pratt, 
P.  Porcupine,  i  2  cop. 
Jeremiah   Peirfol, 
John  J.  Parry. 
Alexander   Purves, 
Kinfey  Prichett, 
Wm.  H.  G.  Page, 
Mrs.  Powel, 
Matthew  Park?, 
William  Parfon, 
General  Thos.  Proftor, 
Robert  Polke, 
George  Parker, 
John  Prager, 
Pearfon  Parvin, 
John   Puhingill, 
Efther  Parry, 
William  Poyntell, 
Zachariah  Poulfon,jun. 
Elijah  Perkins, 
Thomas  Palmer, 
M.  Prager,  jun. 
Valentine  Peacan, 
Mrs.  Cath.  Preilon, 
Thomas  Parker, 
Caleb  Peirce, 
Naphtali  Phillips, 
Charles  Penrofe, 
Sarah  Pay  raw, 


Dr.  Pommayrae, 
Alfred  Powell, 
Zalegman  Phillipi. 

•  cu 

George  Quinlan, 
Capt.  Samuel  Quin. 

R. 
Dr.  Wm.  Rogers,  pro- 

feflbr,  college, 
C.  S.  Ramfey,  college, 
Cropley  Rofe, 
J.  Roberts, 
Richard  Reyncll, 
Jofeph  Roberts, 
John  Rain, 
William  Rogers, 
Hugh  Roberts, 
Mrs.  Cath.  Roberts, 
David  Reefe, 
Mark  Rodes, 
P.  Rice, 

Edward  Rowley, 
John  Reynolds, 
H.  Reynolds, 
Wm.  Rawle,  counfellor 

at  law, 
Henry  Rice, 
Robert  Rallton, 
James  Robinfon, 
Thomas  O'Reilly, 
A.  Richley, 
Wm.  Richardfon, 
John  Ralfton, 
Daniel  P.  Ruff, 
Wm.  Rogers, 
Wm.  Read, 
Lydia  Richards, 
John  Rhoads, 
Matthew  Randall, 
James  Ryan, 
George  Rizer, 
Ralllon  and  Jordan, 
Mrs.  RachelRobcrts, 
Richard  Robinett, 
John  Robbins,  jun. 
John  Read,  jun. 
Mrs.  Eliz.  Rudolph, 
C.  Reithmullcr,  ^ 

Alexander  Robertfon, 
Samuel  Richards,  jun^ 
John  Richev,  ^ 

Mrs,  Ann  Richards> 


SUBSCRIBERS*  NAMES. 


0 


John  Robinfon, 
Mrs.  Mary  Rowan, 
John  Ridge, 
George  Rawlfton, 
James  Robinfon, 
James  Roche, 
Mrs.  Mary  Robertfon, 
James  Riiketts, 
Nathaniel  Ramfey, 
John  Rey, 

Thomas  A.  Richards, 
Samuel  Reynolds. 

S. 
George  Smith,  efq. 
Stephen  Sykes,    land- 
office, 
Wm.  Symmonds,  efq. 
Wm.  Shanner, 
David  Sparks, 
Benjamin  Stille, 
John  Scott, 
Wm.  Smiley, 
John  Smith, 
Harman  Stout, 
Wm.  Sherer, 
Thos.  Shoemaker^ 
Wm.  Sherman, 
J.  H.  Seymonr, 
Jabes  Stockman, 
D.  Shute, 
Jacob  Servofs, 
W.  Smith, 

Frederick  Shinkle,  jun. 
Wm.  Smith, 
Morgan  Sweeny, 
Mrs.  Mary  Shaw, 
Mrs.  Sophia  Seckel, 
David  Sellers, 
Henry  Steever, 
Samuel  Shaw, 
James  Stokes, 
Aaron  Smith, 
Henry  SheafF, 
Andrew  Stevenfon, 
S.  Shoemaker, 
Peter  Stewart, 
Wm.  Smith,  jun. 
Jofeph  Sanfom, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stiles, 
W.  A.  Stokes, 
Samuel  Smith, 
John  StiUe, 


Robert  S.  Stephens, 
John  Sykes, 
Jofeph  Shoemaker, 
Ifaac  Snowden,jun, 
Thos.  Shoemaker, 
Samuel  Stevens, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Smith, 
Sallows  Shewell, 
Daniel  Shute, 
Robert  Sewell, 
Newberry  Smith, 
James  Simpfon, 
Benjamin  Sharp, 
Wm.  Smith, 
Jacob  Stiles, 
J.  A.  Smith,  efq. 
John  Scott, 
Laurence  Seckle, 
Wm.  Shepherd, 
Emanuel  Singer, 
Samuel  Spoldeng, 
George  SheafF, 
Mrs.  Ann  Singer, 
Charles  Steel, 
John  Jacob  Sommer, 
Matthew  Sully, 
Benjamin  S.  Barton, 
Uriah  Smith, 
Edward  Spragill, 
Jacob  Stout, 
John  Zac  Steward, 
John  Sommerville, 
Mrs.  Shute, 
Sam.  H.  Smith, 
Richard  Sutton, 
Mrs.  M.  Smallwood, 
Wm.  Stewart, 
Robert  Stevens, 
James  Smithei, 
James  Smith, 
Wm.  Simmonds, 
Mrs.  M.  Simfon, 
Mrs.  Sewell, 
Paul  Smithfon, 
Thomas  Spencer, 
Dr.  Samuel  Shober, 
Gerardus  Stockdale, 
Benjamin  Shaw, 
Mrs.  Ann  Say  re, 
John  Sonis, 
James  Sawyer, 
James  Scanlan, 


John  Stephen{o»> 
Mrs.  Mary  Sikcs> 
Jofeph  Simons, 
Mrs.  Jane  Shaw, 
Robert  Stewart, 
Mrs.  Maria  Sewelf, 
Samuel  W,  Sayre, 

T. 
John  Taylor, 
Bankfon  Taylor, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Tod, 
William  Telton, 
Jacob  F.  Tuthill, 
Patrick  Taggert, 
Robert  Town, 
Godfrey  Twell, 
Nathaniel  Thomas, 
Robert  Taylor,   . 
David  Thomfon, 
Jofeph  R.  Tatem, 
Andrew  Taylor, 
Charles  Townfend, 
Luke  Thomas, 
Themas  Timmons, 
Henry  Tucknefs, 
Henry  Townfend, 
Mrs.  R.  Thomfon, 
Jonathan  Tipfon, 
Samuel  Tomkins. 
William  H.  Tod, 
Edward  Tilghman,  jr. 
Richard  Tybout, 
Achefon  Thomfon, 
J.  Tatnall, 
Mrs.  Ann  Thornton, 
Sufanna  Tillinghaft, 
William  Thomfon, 
John  Thomas, 
John  Towers, 
Mrs.  M.  Thomfon. 

U.  &.  V. 
Thomas  Vantelburgh, 
John  Vandardaln, 
Mrs.  Eliza   Vaneer, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Vallance, 

W. 
John  Wharton, 
George  Wilfon, 
James  Wallace, 
James  Wood, 
Charles  Watts, 
B.  Wood, 


SUBSCRinERS'  S'AMES, 


Wiiilam  Wray, 
S'tephen  Vi'orrelI> 
James  Walker, 
Georcre  Weed, 
Jt>hn  Watfon, 
John  Waflls, 
Ifrael  Whelan, 
James  White, 
W'iHiam  Vvindam, 
Samuel  Watr, 
John  Waddiiigton, 
Samutl  WetheriiJ,  jun. 
inrchi'aald  V/opiinii?", 
William  Woodhoufe, 
Thomas  White, 
John  Webb, 
George  Wilfon, 
?.  E^Whelan, 
William  Wain, 
Mrs.  P.  Wain, 
Charles    Wharton, 
J-lanfon  Wafers, 
Jofoph  Wynkoop, 
Franci=;  Weifs, 
J'etfr  Walter, 
J.  Wairpok) 


Dr.  Wiftar, 
Robert  \Vailace, 
Rcefe  Wall, 
Jer.   Warden,  iun. 
Peregrine  Wichercd, 
Benj:imin  Wood, 
James  WelfH, 
George  Weftcctt, 
John  Whiteman, 
W.  S.  Willing, 
W.  W.    Woodward, 
George  Way, 
John  Walker, 
Matthew  Walker, 
James  Wilking, 
Mrs.  Maria   Warner, 
JBer.jamin   Williams, 
John  Wood, 
David  Wallace, 
Caleb  Wilkins, 
J,  P.  Wagnon, 
jofeph  B.  Wilkinfon, 
Jofeph  Wharton, 
J.  Wilfon, 
JfJaniel  Wifter, 
John  White, 


John  Wire? 
Adam  Walter, 
Enoch  XA'iigVr, 
Joel  Wilfon, 
Peter  ^Jc'elV^' nod, 
Mrs'Ann  Wilfon, 
James  L.  Walter, 
Mrs.  H.  Wright, 
Mrs.  Watidington, 
Sarah   Williams, 
Charles  E.  Webb, 
Mary  Wee, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Weftnn, 
Giillavus  B.  W.illace, 
B.  M.  Worrell, 
Silveftcr  Woodward, 
James  White, 
John  Watfon. 

Y. 
Charles  Young, 
Mrs.  Sar^h  \eomen, 
James  Vard, 
John  Young, 
Dr.  John  T.  Younp, 

z.        ^ 

T.  B,  Zankingcr. 


S^    Now   Publi(Iij,rf^/by  Subfcription^'  Ifef ' 
SNOIVDEf^  &  M'CORKLEi^j  ^ 

At  No.  47,  North  Fourth-ftreet,  Philadelphia, 
A  ^\  THE 

HISTORY 

united'states 

FOR    1796. 

This  work  will  be  comDrifed  in  one  oftavo  vo- 
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&3^  Nos.  I,  2,  3,  and  4, 
Are  already  publiihed  -,  and  contain  many  curious 
and  interefting  facets  not  generally  known.  The 
fourth  number  prefents  the  commencement  of  2.  co- 
pious abftraB  of  Mr.  JAY^s  INSTRUCTIONS. 
This  important  paper,  which  has  fo  long  been 
fcreened  from  the  public  eye,  and  which  has  io 
juftly  excited  their  curiofity,  hath  at  length,  with 
difficulty,  been  procured.  It  is  recommended  as  par- 
ticularly worthy  the  attention  of  the  citizeris  of  the 
United  States. 

The  author  of  this  publication  has  refpediable  and 
peculiar  accefs  to  information.  In  the  courfc  of  its 
profecution,  many  authentic  and  fecret  political 
anecdotes  will  be  handed  to  the  public  ;  and  per- 
haps it  may  not  be  going  too  far  to  fay,  that  the  po- 
litician may  here  find  a  clue  to  the  intricacies  in 
which  he  is  involved  when  he  contcmpla'tes  the  coa- 
diidl  of  the  American  cabinet, 

"June  20,  1797. 


I 


